Telstra introduces its own messaging service for Android

Telstra has announced its own messaging service for Android users that includes popular features available from a single inbox.

The telco is marketing Telstra Message as an evolution of traditional text message, integrating SMS, MMS, chat and voicemail from the same interface without the need to download additional software.

The platform is built on the Rich Communication Services (RCS), a communications protocol introduced in 2016 in an effort to replace traditional SMS.

Telstra is also bringing Australian Android users a feature only available to iOS users, with the option to retrieve voicemails within the chat window, rather than having to call a separate phone number.

The service will be available for Telstra’s consumer, business and enterprise customers. Samsung users will be the first to receive the service with S, S7 Edge, S8 and S8+ smartphones first, followed by other Android devices in the coming months.

Telstra head of product innovation Jeremy Howe said: “With RCS now established, we’re continuing to evolve the network to bring more exciting voice, video and messaging features to our customers that will integrate directly into handsets, tablets and computing devices in the future.”

Last month, Telstra introduced a workplace mobility service called Liberate, described as a “clip-on” to telco and mobile bundles, which allows customers to present their fixed-line phone numbers when dialling and receiving calls from their mobile devices.