MetroPCS may not be the largest wireless  carrier -- even after the T-Mobile merger -- but it's showing that it is one of the most nimble. MetroPCS is first to market with Rich Communication Services, or RCS, on a 4G LTE network .
MetroPCS is officially offering RCS under the GSMA-licensed joyn brand. Based on the GSMA RCS 5.0 standard, joyn by MetroPCS ups the mobile services ante. MetroPCS customers will be the first to tap into a mobile experience that goes beyond voice and basic messaging to offer a better way to tap into services like integrated instant messaging or chat, Wi-Fi and video calling and simplified content sharing.
"We believe RCS is a tremendous differentiator among prepaid and postpaid competitors alike and recognize that achieving interoperability across U.S. 4G LTE networks is the next key step to paving the way for more innovative services and capabilities in the future," said Roger Linquist, CEO and chairman of MetroPCS.
Special Smartphone Required
Of course, you need a 4G LTE rate plan and an RCS-enabled smartphone to use the services. Joyn by MetroPCS is currently only available on the Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G. Galaxy Attain 4G users can download the joyn application from the @metro App Store and Google Play. MetroPCS plans to roll-out additional RCS-enabled 4G LTE smartphones and services later this year and throughout 2013.
Customers who opt for the new paradigm will do away with the fragmented experience that requires the use of multiple, separate applications and logins to use enriched services and share content.
Joyn streamlines the mobile communications experience by making it easier to connect with contacts in real-time, and by showing how contacts can be reached and which multimedia capabilities in chat, content transfer or video share are available for each contact in one click from the user's address book.
Inside RCS
Some of the specific services MetroPCS will support at launch on joyn-enabled smartphones include Contacts Presence, calendar sync, contact availability, status sync and social network integration .
Meanwhile, Enriched Chat threads conversations to keep track of who said what and show which people and groups are available to chat and share content. Other features include instant messaging and group chat, conversational view, delivery of read notifications and composing indications.
A feature called Content Sharing lets users share content with just one click from the address book. Consumers can also share video, images and files while on a call and within instant messaging or chat, display service capabilities, tap into geolocation and use Wi-Fi and Video Calling.
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