(Telecompaper) AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile US and Verizon have taken the first steps to modernise SMS texts to GSMA's Rich Communications Service (RCS) industry standard. The three operators have created a new joint venture called the Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative (CCMI) that will bring this next generation of messaging to consumers and businesses. The venture will develop and deploy first with Android, probably next year, together with other companies in the RCS ecosystem.