The success of RCS in Spain may be at risk if operators pursue a strategy of charging per SMS

In Spain, all operators have invested in rich communication services (RCS), which looks set to become a more widely used application worldwide when it is added to Apple’s iOS ecosystem later in 2024. RCS uses SMS as a fallback channel to ensure that messages are delivered. Unlike in other countries, mobile network operators (MNOs) in Spain apply a per-SMS messaging charge on SIM-only postpaid contracts. This strategy therefore risks establishing a negative view of RCS among Spanish consumers, who may see this SMS charge as a ‘hidden’ fee.