MADRID, Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The GSMA today announced that Movistar, Orange and Vodafone, Spain's three leading mobile network operators (MNOs), have launched Rich Communication Services (RCS) through the consumer-facing brand joyn™ to their customers. With this launch, Spain becomes the first country in the world to offer a fully interoperable rich communications solution, supported by Movistar, Orange and Vodafone, to its mobile subscribers.

joyn services enable customers to chat and enrich messaging or voice calls by exchanging images or video simultaneously during calls, in a private and secure manner, with any member of their contact list that has joyn, regardless of the user's network or mobile device. Additional services such as voice over IP (VoIP) or IP-video call will be introduced in the near future. These services may be used on both the operators' mobile networks and on Wi-Fi networks.

"The GSMA is delighted that joyn services are  now available across Spain, giving customers a greater choice of communication possibilities without compromising the quality and security they have come to expect from their mobile operator," said Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. "This initial implementation of a new technology clearly required a major effort and strong leadership in the alignment of the ecosystem of manufacturers, developers and integrators, and operators. Consumers across the world will benefit from the leading efforts of these three operators in Spain."

Movistar, Orange and Vodafone are initially offering joyn services through an application for Android, with a version for the iPhone to follow shortly. Spanish mobile subscribers can now download joyn through app stores, and they will soon be able to purchase several joyn-embedded devices that have completed rigorous interoperability testing with the three MNOs. In order to use the joyn brand, devices have to complete the interoperability testing and pass a certification process, ensuring the quality, privacy, security and ubiquity of the services. joyn-embedded devices are expected to be available in retail outlets at the beginning of 2013.

"In developing this interoperable solution for their customers, the operators have also been able to share the experience and learnings gained with other operators as part of the RCS programme, helping to reduce the time-to-market for the service," continued O'Hara. "joyn services are available now from individual operators in Germany and the United States; further nationwide, cross-operator implementations are expected in Germany this year and in several other European countries during 2013."

Notes to Editors
joyn is a certification trade mark of the GSMA and the consumer facing-brand for Rich Communication Services. When consumers see the joyn brand they will know that the device is RCS enabled, which means it automatically 'knows and shows' ways to share with contacts via chat, video, call or files, at any moment in time, regardless of the network or device used.

Further information can be found at www.joynus.com

About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators with more than 230 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo. 

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com or Mobile World Live, the online portal for the mobile communications industry, at www.mobileworldlive.com

SOURCE GSMA