Juniper Research identifies superior connectivity and innovation as key differentiators for market dominance
The landscape of business communications is undergoing a seismic shift, driven largely by Apple’s recent support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) and the subsequent demand for richer, more interactive consumer interactions. Amidst this industry-wide transformation, Infobip has been designated as the number one “Established Leader” in the Juniper Research RCS for Business 2026 Leaderboard. This recognition positions the global cloud communications platform at the pinnacle of a competitive field comprising 17 major vendors, validating its long-term strategic investments in infrastructure and product capacity.
As Infobip celebrates its 20th anniversary, this top ranking highlights the critical importance of capability and market presence in the current messaging ecosystem. The analyst firm explicitly cited Infobip’s enhanced product positioning and superior capacity as primary drivers for the high score. By prioritizing deep mobile operator partnerships and value-added services, the platform ensures that global brands can successfully navigate the complex technical ecosystem required to deliver modern mobile engagement at scale.
Key Insights at a Glance
- Top Vendor Ranking: Infobip scored highest among 17 competitors, recognized for superior capability, capacity, and significant market presence.
- Strategic US Reach: Validated as the first provider to launch RCS messaging across all major telecom carriers in the United States.
- Operational Efficiency: Support for RCS sender registration accelerates onboarding, significantly reducing time-to-market for enterprise adoption.
- Orchestration Capability: High scores were awarded for depth of partnerships, geographical reach, and innovation in value-added services.
The Complexity of Cross-Carrier Connectivity
The transition from standard SMS to RCS represents a massive leap in technical complexity, requiring robust interconnections between platforms and mobile network operators. In an era where customer attention is the ultimate currency, how can global enterprises ensure their rich media messages actually reach the end user without latency or fragmentation? The Juniper Research report underscores that geographical reach and the depth of partnerships are not merely optional features but essential requirements for success.
Infobip’s recognition stems largely from its ability to solve this connectivity puzzle. According to the report, the company stands out specifically for its wide network of mobile operator connections. This infrastructure is critical because attempting to deploy RCS without a provider possessing deep carrier relationships is akin to building a high-performance sports car but lacking the paved roads required to drive it. The platform’s achievement of being the first to launch RCS across all major US telecom carriers exemplifies the type of infrastructure required to support high-volume enterprise traffic.
Accelerating Deployment and Innovation
Beyond the pipes and infrastructure, the administrative friction of adopting new channels often stalls enterprise innovation. Molly Gatford, Senior Research Analyst at Juniper Research, emphasized that Infobip’s platform capabilities extend to supporting brands through the complex RCS sender registration process. This support is vital for accelerating onboarding, allowing enterprises to adopt RCS quickly and scale their initiatives efficiently. By removing these operational barriers, businesses can focus on crafting strategy rather than managing carrier protocols.
This technical foundation enables brands like Virgin Atlantic to leverage Infobip’s RCS solutions for tangible business outcomes. By utilizing the platform, the airline delivers interactive, conversational messaging that drives stronger customer engagement. Adrian Benić, Chief Product Officer at Infobip, notes that the enterprise adoption of RCS is expected to accelerate significantly this year as brands explore how the channel supports end-to-end customer experiences. Infobip supports this growth through a CPaaS offering that combines conversational experience orchestration with a global messaging infrastructure, further strengthened by advanced AI capabilities.
Future Outlook
As the market matures following widespread OS support, the focus for enterprises will shift from simple connectivity to complex conversational orchestration. The recognition by Juniper Research suggests that vendors who combine extensive global infrastructure with AI-driven engagement tools will define the next standard of business-to-consumer communication. For Infobip, the trajectory points toward a future where their “AI-first” transformation and established carrier dominance provide the stability global brands require to make RCS a primary revenue channel rather than just a notification system.
About Infobip
Infobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected experiences across all stages of the customer journey, with AI as the driving force of innovation. Through a single, natively built platform, Infobip delivers omnichannel engagement, identity, user authentication and contact centre solutions that help businesses and partners overcome the complexity of consumer communications while driving growth and increasing customer loyalty. Infobip is focused on enabling and accelerating AI adoption as it continues its transformation into an AI-first company.
