FORT MYERS, Fla._Interop Technologies, a provider of core wireless solutions for advanced messaging, mobile device provisioning and management, and connectivity gateways, today announced that its Rich Communication Suite (RCS) Messaging Server is backward compatible with Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Message Service (MMS). Mobile devices enabled with the Interop RCS server can successfully conduct messaging sessions with other devices regardless of whether they operate using RCS or SMS/MMS technology, helping to bridge the gap between legacy and next-generation messaging services.

The patent-pending solution is the first in the industry to offer backward compatibility with SMS and MMS, a feature associated with the RCS 5 standard. Interop’s RCS Messaging Server provides fully compliant RCS_not “RCS-like”_messaging features, including individual and group chat; file transfer; and indicators identifying when messages are composed, sent, and delivered. Because Interop’s server enables operators to offer RCS without a costly and complex IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core, operators can compete with popular“over-the-top” (OTT) services without expensive changes to their current network. In addition, Interop’s hosted deployment option minimizes up-front costs and helps operators get RCS services to market quickly.

Major handset manufacturers have committed to building RCS directly into handsets starting in the second quarter of 2012. Downloadable RCS clients are also available for existing handsets.

“Our patent-pending, hosted solution, which works with any RCS client, provides the fastest, most cost-effective means of offering RCS, while completely supporting existing SMS and MMS technology,” said Steve Zitnik, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Interop Technologies. “As a result, operators can combat the threat of over-the-top players immediately, while providing subscribers with new, in-demand features.”