Bandwidth Inc., a leading global enterprise cloud communications company, has published its 2026 State of Messaging Report titled "The Future is Conversational." The report examines the rapid evolution of business messaging driven by RCS adoption, AI integration, and rising consumer expectations for trust and transparency, serving as a strategic guide for brand leaders to build modern, secure customer engagement strategies.
Quick Intel
The report underscores how business messaging is transforming faster than ever, with enterprises needing to adopt richer channels and AI to meet customers in fluid, everyday contexts. Findings draw from extensive surveys, proprietary research, and Bandwidth's industry expertise to outline actionable steps for future-proofing strategies.
"Business messaging is expected to evolve faster than ever in 2026. To stay competitive, enterprises are deploying richer channels and AI to engage customers where they are—fluid, fast, and woven into the way they live their lives," said Tim Sherwood, Bandwidth's Senior Vice President and General Manager of Messaging. "Our new report helps brand leaders get current on the latest trends and take action to future-proof their messaging strategies for competitive advantage."
Five core insights shape the report's outlook. First, the "RCS Gap" represents a significant opportunity: despite near-universal device support, most businesses have yet to implement RCS, allowing early movers to establish engagement standards. Second, AI integration enables multimodal conversations, positioning RCS and interactive messaging as ideal vehicles for seamless voice, text, and visual experiences by the end of the decade.
Third, SMS continues as a reliable foundation for cost-effective, broad reach, with optimal ROI achieved through coordinated use of multiple number types and AI personalization. Fourth, trust and verification are critical in combating consumer skepticism, with RCS providing secure features like sender verification, trusted icons, and branded interactions. Fifth, deliverability remains the primary criterion for choosing messaging providers, surpassing cost or features, and Bandwidth's tools address this through robust campaign registration and delivery analytics.
The report positions Bandwidth as a partner for brands in retail, e-commerce, financial services, healthcare, tech, and beyond, offering insights to navigate these shifts effectively.
Download the Report Bandwidth supports some of the world's most demanding brands across retail, e-commerce, financial services, healthcare, tech and more. Stay ahead of the messaging curve by downloading Bandwidth's 2026 State of Messaging Report now.
About Bandwidth Inc.
Bandwidth (NASDAQ: BAND) is a global cloud communications software company that helps enterprises deliver exceptional experiences through voice calling, text messaging and emergency services. Our solutions and our Communications Cloud, covering 65+ countries and over 90 percent of global GDP, are trusted by all the leaders in unified communications and cloud contact centers–including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Google, Microsoft, RingCentral, Zoom, Genesys and Five9–as well as Global 2000 enterprises and SaaS builders like Docusign, Uber and Yosi Health. As a founder of the cloud communications revolution, we are the first and only global Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) to offer a unique combination of composable APIs, AI capabilities, owner-operated network and broad regulatory experience. Our award-winning support teams help businesses around the world transform their communications every day.
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