Yes maybe. While I understand Google's frustration, the number of carriers that implemented Universal Profile independently was not zero though, and in the end it was for nothing.
I know from a friend that Facebook was looking into integrating RCS to Messenger (not Whatsapp somehow) and willing to be part of the Google federated RCS network, that also fell through, but I don't why.
What would that look like? Do you mean having Messenger be the default SMS app for your phone, and having it able to receive RCS? If so, these restrictions in Android would stop it: https://source.android.com/docs/core/connect/ims-single-regi...
I've been trying to gain some insight on why Google is not making it easy (possible?) to implement a third-party RCS app for Android and was reading about these APIs (clearly intended for OEMs).
> This means that third party apps aren't allowed to access RCS single registration APIs as they require carrier certification on the device.
Could just be Google passing the buck here, but this does sound like something the carriers would do, if given the chance.
Apple supporting RCS could create enough interest that it breaks their de facto control of the standard