From October 2 to 4, we experienced inTouch Now, our event dedicated to the present and future of messaging. Three intense days designed to engage with partners, experts, and industry players, share strategies and technologies, and celebrate our 25 years of activity together.
We chose Verona as the setting because it is the city where we were born and grew up, and we created a program that combined content, relationships, and memorable moments.
Partner Update | Thursday, 2
We kicked off inTouch Now with a day dedicated to our partners. It was designed not only to share strategic and technological updates but, above all, to strengthen dialogue with our ecosystem, highlighting the various forms of collaboration that allow us to grow together.
After an overview of our numbers – over 15,000 global clients, 3 billion SMS sent annually, 45 million RCS messages in 2025 alone – we presented the evolution of our inTouch platform, increasingly focused on multichannel communication, automation, and integration with external systems. New features include a redesigned interface, new subscription flows, pop-ups and forms, intelligent automations, and a roadmap oriented toward AI, advanced retargeting, and integration with WhatsApp, Viber, and Wallet.
We paid particular attention to RCS, illustrating how we are making this channel more complete and accessible: from onboarding to sender verification, from conversational interactions to branding, and even autonomous management by clients. It was clear that RCS is evolving from a simple SMS alternative to a comprehensive digital communication tool capable of generating trust, engagement, and value.
A key moment was dedicated to our Partner Program. We discussed white-label resellers, agencies, influencers, strategic partners, and operational consultants, each with a specific role, a tailored collaboration model, and a shared growth path. Our goal is not just to distribute technology but to build solid, scalable relationships based on training, support, and a shared vision.
Finally, we addressed the Alias regulation, with an in-depth look at resolution 12/23/CIR and its developments. We reaffirmed our commitment not only to compliance but to anticipating security and transparency needs, with advanced anti-fraud technologies, AI systems for detecting suspicious content, and active collaboration with operators and authorities.
We closed the day with a conviction that has always guided us:multichannel communication cannot be improvised. It is built with expertise, vision, and responsibility and we are ready to do it, together with our partners.
RCS Workshop – Friday, 3
The afternoon of Friday, October 3, was entirely dedicated to the world of RCS (Rich Communication Services). A workshop designed to take stock of the evolution of this technology in Europe and Italy, with presentations, data, and direct exchanges between operators, companies, and industry partners.
The goal was clear: understand how to grow RCS and make it an accessible communication channel for everyone.
Global Overview and Italy’s Position
The first presentation was by Daniele Poerio, CEO of Rdcom, who opened the session emphasizing how RCS is changing the way companies communicate with people. Immediately after, Scott Warner from MobileSquared provided a snapshot of the most advanced markets: in Germany alone, over 20 million RCS messages were sent in 2024, while in the UK and the USA, open rates exceed 90%.
Italy, however, is still behind. Warner explained that the lack of a common strategy among operators, regulatory uncertainties, and limited brand pressure are slowing adoption. At the same time, he noted that this “building” phase can be an advantage: it allows learning from other countries and creating an Italian model based on creativity and innovation.
RCS Beyond Borders
Providing an international perspective was Ricardo Martins from iBasis. His presentation highlighted the main challenges still slowing global RCS adoption: fragmentation among operators, interconnection limits, and the lack of shared standards. Martins showed how the company is tackling these obstacles with scalable solutions and managed services, designed to simplify and secure adoption for businesses and operators.
The Germany Case: Collaboration and Results
Bernd Heinen, Head of RCS at Telefónica Germany, shared the German experience, which has become a model in Europe. In Germany, collaboration between Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Telefónica, and 1&1 has led to over 62 million active users, equal to 90% of smartphones. Heinen called RCS “the least known channel with the highest number of users” and emphasized a simple concept: the key to success is simplicity. “Simplicity means trust,” he said, encouraging Italian operators to work together and listen to the market first.
Panel 1 | Scaling RCS in Europe
The first panel, moderated by Daniele Poerio, featured Fabio Bussa (TIM Enterprise), Dario Betti (Mobile Ecosystem Forum), and Bernd Heinen joining via video. TIM shared its experience, emphasizing that RCS should not replace SMS but complement it. “My 82-year-old mother trusts an RCS message more than an SMS with a link,” said the TIM representative, highlighting how perceptions of security and reliability are key factors.
Dario Betti broadened the perspective to Europe, underlining the importance of common rules to encourage interoperability and growth. The discussion also covered monetization, sustainable business models, and the need for a shared vision.
Heinen reiterated that Germany achieved these results only through operator collaboration. “ Coordination, not competition, is needed ,” he warned, adding that operators still need to convince brands to believe in RCS, not the other way around.
Panel 2 | From Metrics to Trust
The second panel focused on a practical topic: how to make RCS a reliable and measurable channel for businesses.
Panelists included Ricardo Martins (iBasis), Romina Kaboorani (G729), Dario Betti (MEF), and Andreas Constantinides (MT160).
The main message? For RCS to become truly useful for business, trust must be built —technical, with solid infrastructure; economic, with clear pricing models; and strategic, with concrete data and KPIs. The discussion covered CTR, conversions, response times, and customer care, as well as how to present the channel to marketers: with numbers, yes, but also with clear vision and use cases.
Conclusions: The Courage to Network
RCS is now a moving reality. The inTouch Now workshop showed that there is strong interest and a desire to build in Italy, even though the road ahead is long.
A key word emerged from all presentations: courage.
The courage to change approach, collaborate, and invest in something new.
Friday Evening – Villa Wallner
After a day of content and discussion, we gathered in the elegant setting of Villa Wallner to celebrate our 25 years. It was a special evening filled with toasts, music, smiles, and new connections.
It was the perfect moment to relax, celebrate achievements, and experience the event’s energy in an authentic and shared atmosphere.
Saturday, October 4 – Verona Tour
We closed inTouch Now with an informal day dedicated to discovering our city. A guided walking tour through Verona’s iconic sites, followed by lunch at a traditional osteria, allowed participants to savor local culinary traditions in a convivial and genuine environment.
It was the perfect way to say goodbye, with lightness and beauty, after three days of content, relationships, and shared visions.
