[hocuspocus]

The people I asked didn't know.

Pure speculation: Google got frustrated with carriers moving too slowly even after acquiring Jibe. I understand carriers not being compelled by Google's lack of vision for mobile messaging then. Especially given that Apple won't give a damn.

A few years pass and Google decides to pivot their messaging services once again, and that now is the time to push RCS for real. Google managed to convince big carriers on several continents that Jibe is the solution. And they probably think the small ones will eventually cave in.