Google is teaming up with global mobile operators including Sprint to speed up the rollout of its Rich Communication Services (RCS) for Android OS. RCS is an SMS-like system that adds features to basic text messaging including group messaging and IP voice calls, which are already available for platforms including Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. The Alphabet company's press release was posted during Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain.

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Google is teaming up with several worldwide and regional wireless carriers. They include América Móvil, Deutsche Telekom, Millicom, Telenor Group, Telstra, Turkcell, and the wireless standards body Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA), according to VentureBeat.

The tech giant's press release shares that the global operators have agreed to transition to a universal profile based on GSMA's RCS specs and Google's RCS client. It will be a collaboration with operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Google is trying to catch up with various messaging platforms. WhatsApp recently reached one billion monthly active users (MAUs) and Facebook Messenger is nearing that the same figure. In addition, such services already work across multiple mobile platforms including Android and iOS.

Android's RCS push is in part due to the mobile OS having over a billion worldwide users. However, it could also be used by other operating systems if tech giants such as Microsoft and Apple get on board.

Google just purchased the startup Jibe Mobile five months ago. Its focus is on helping networks support messaging features into their companies' services.  

The Alphabet subsidiary's moves seem to suggest it is trying to catch up with companies with messaging services. For example, Facebook's Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp hold a colossal market share.

Nick Fox is vice president of Google's communications products. He highlighted the importance of messaging for sharing thoughts and photos, and setting up a meet-up. Fox argued that Google is taking an important step forward to improve all Android users' messaging experience and it is pleased to team up with global carriers to achieve that goal.

In other Google news Spotify just announced that it is joining forces with the Google Cloud Platform to improve the streaming experience of its users,according to Spotify. The goal is to use Google's data stack to develop platform infrastructure for Spotify everywhere.

Here's a texting speed contest: