FROM SMS TO RCS: INTELLIGENT FRAMEWORKS FOR RESILIENT MESSAGING IN EMERGENCY SCENARIOS

Abstract

The article investigates the transformation of mobile messaging technologies from the traditional Short Message Service (SMS) to the modern Rich Communication Services (RCS) within the context of 5G networks and emergency communications. The authors emphasize that, despite SMS remaining the cornerstone of public alerting systems due to its universality and compliance with regulatory requirements, it demonstrates technical limitations during high-load situations. RCS, in contrast, introduces enhanced user interactivity and multimedia capabilities but lacks mechanisms for guaranteed delivery under degraded network conditions. To overcome these challenges, the paper introduces two key concepts: the Intelligent Emergency Messaging Optimization Framework (IEMOF) and the Guaranteed Delivery Index (IGDP). IEMOF represents a multi-layer architecture that dynamically determines the optimal communication channel using real-time network and device data, while IGDP provides a quantitative metric for assessing delivery reliability based on probability, latency, and freshness of channel information. The methodology involves Monte Carlo simulations, analysis of empirical datasets from telecom operators and CPaaS platforms, and regression fitting to calibrate model parameters. Simulation results demonstrate that integrating SMS and RCS through intelligent fallback mechanisms significantly enhances delivery performance and resilience during emergencies. The study also outlines the importance of maintaining updated device and network capability maps to ensure accuracy of routing decisions. The authors conclude that the convergence of SMS and RCS, guided by intelligent frameworks like IEMOF and validated by IGDP metrics, forms the foundation for next-generation, adaptive, and user-centric public alert systems. The research provides practical recommendations for the future standardization of hybrid emergency communication protocols and their implementation within 5G infrastructures.