WALLDORF, Germany -- As consumers seek to communicate better and further through mobile devices, SAP AG (SAP) today announced a new cloud-based service that aims to simplify interconnecting rich communication services (RCS), such as instant messaging, video and file sharing, for mobile operators. With more than 200 LTE network deployments since 2010i, the issue of isolated mobile networks is becoming more prevalent. SAP Mobile Services, a division of SAP, is the first to announce a standards-compliant IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) for IP-based services, including RCS and Voice over LTE (VoLTE), intended to allow consumers to communicate beyond traditional voice and messaging services across any device, network and geography.

"The combination of IPX and RCS allows consumers to freely communicate and collaborate via the latest innovations surrounding instant messaging, video and file sharing," said Steve Heap, CTO, HOT TELECOM. "According to the GSMA, RCS adoption is picking up pace with deployments in 11 countries, supported by 17 operators. This figure is expected to grow to 85 operators by 2015. The next step in the evolution of RCS is about interconnecting operators over IPX to expand the consumer base. Regardless of network type, operators need to interoperate globally to offer quality services regardless of subscriber location. SAP is first to come up with a standards-based approach that aims to push RCS adoption."

The forthcoming IMS hub from SAP Mobile Services is intended to be the latest cloud-based service hub running over the SAP IPX 365 mobile service, along with the SAP Rich Communication Services 365 (SAP RCS 365) mobile service. According to "Navigating Complexity: The Quest for True IPX" [PDF,] a study released by SAP in conjunction with TelecomAsia, more than half (52 percent) of operators surveyed report their plan to launch RCS in the next three years and close to 60 percent would run hosted RCS.

SAP AG (NYSE/Frankfurt: SAP)