I am tired of paying for roaming, of being location tracked by my provider and running out of SIM slots.

So I have decided to connect some SIM capabilities to my server and set it up as a sort of proxy that I could access over the internet to send regular SMS and make regular calls through the server.

As far as I can tell it seems to be really complicated to do in linux and I just couldn’t find anyway that would actually support sound over calls.

The only solutions I found right now are to get an old phone (not ideal because of the price, battery and reliability) or use something like

https://www.makerfabs.com/maduino-zero-4g-lte-sim7600.html

Which can be connected to the server on the aux and serial ports. This is not too pricey but still seems like a bit much for my needs.

My question is, are there better ways? Really all I need is SMS and calls.

  • thelittleblackbird@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    2 days ago

    What you need is a sip server / interface for making VoIP call through internet, there are many implementations and servers, selfhosted and paid. Pick up one you like.

    Please, be aware that the quality of the voice call depends and a lot of the data rate. Keep this in mind uif you are in remote locations with poor coverage.

    It is always recommended the asterisk + the freepbx for the gui. Please be aware that I don’t have experience with those systems

    • bdonvr@thelemmy.clubEnglish
      5·
      1 day ago

      Please, be aware that the quality of the voice call depends and a lot of the data rate. Keep this in mind uif you are in remote locations with poor coverage.

      Nowadays most cell calls are VoIP anyhow. Heck in the US they shut off the old networks and only allow VoLTE/Vo5G

      • thelittleblackbird@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        1 day ago

        Good point! I totally forgot that.

        But if I am able to recall correctly the QoS for the VoLTE and just regular data is totally different and the antenna may refused to provide you enough data for a non-prior service

      • Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafeEnglish
        2·
        1 day ago

        Yea, buts that very different than software VOIP.

        I know this first hand by having VOIP-only voice on my phone via a service using Monocles Chat or Cheogram.

        Voice calls via my cell plan are much better quality and more consistent than VOIP via an app. I suspect this is because voice calls over 4G/5G are encoded by hardware.

        Even Google Voice for calls is pretty awful, which is why I’ve never paid to use it for voice calls.

    • MTK@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      11·
      1 day ago

      I need it to be my number and to not be flagged as a bot, so commercial voip is a no go

      • thelittleblackbird@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        1 day ago

        ???

        There are a lot of reputable VoIP companies, my employer right now uses them and we never faced a problem. But makes sure it is reputable ;)

        And you could also port your number so to all effects it is your number.

        I don’t know, I still believe it is the easiest way forward. But in the end it is your call

        • iopq@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          23 hours ago

          For example, it’s impossible to link Zelle to a VoIP number, you can only use email

        • MTK@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          1·
          1 day ago

          I have heard of situations where companies refuse voip numbers for authentication or critical services, and i can’t risk my number getting flagged as it is sadly a critical part of your online identity these days (fucking hate that)