"RCS Breaks from SMS Pricing as AI Redefines Messaging” — Stephanie Lashley (Bandwidth), MEF Board

RCS is finally scaling—and it’s rewriting the rules of messaging monetization.

At the same time, AI is rapidly transforming messaging into a two-way, conversational and increasingly autonomous channel, while the industry faces mounting pressure around pricing models, trust, fraud, and identity. A key shift is emerging: messaging is no longer just about delivery—it’s about engagement, orchestration across channels, and measurable business outcomes.

In this episode, Stephanie Lashley, Vice President of Messaging Products at Bandwidth and MEF Board Member, shares her perspective from both the carrier and platform side of the ecosystem.

We explore the evolution of A2P SMS as a backbone rather than a legacy, the real monetization potential of RCS, why pricing models are set to diverge, and how AI, fraud, and data sharing are reshaping the future of messaging.