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.
Check out the GoIP GSM gateways (1/4/8 port options) - they’re more reliable than DIY solutions for what your trying to accomplish and let you access SMS/calls via SIP protocols while using actual SIM cards.
Interesting, thanks!
If you are on the usa or Canada, you can use jmp.chat as an alternative. It provides a phone number via the xmpp protocol. It might be possible to set up on your own server as well, have a look here:
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
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
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
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.
I need it to be my number and to not be flagged as a bot, so commercial voip is a no go
???
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
For example, it’s impossible to link Zelle to a VoIP number, you can only use email
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)
The only way to connect the SIM number directly is to hack the VoWiFi protocol, but this is not trivial and you still need to install the SIM in the server.
Option 2 - Buy a home SIP2GSM gateway. But it’s quite expensive (by the standards of my region anyway). SMS work with SMPP, calls work too. For goIP I wrote telegram SMS gateway if you interesting: https://github.com/lifespirit/telegram-smpp-bot
Or use SIP providers from your region/operators that support SIP connectivity and then enable full calls redirection. For calls ok.
UPD: or just use VoWiFi from mobile phone. But you need sim slot in phone.
Anyway in all another way you need install asterisk/freeswitch and write config fot it. And linphone client.
I suspect what you are looking for is a gsm gateway. There are many standalone implementations, some ready made, some a bit more DIY
I tried looking for that, all I found were pricey enterprise level stuff, small ones that only support 2g (dying protocol), and ones that have a cloud service and not self-hosted. Do you know of anything else?
You might try blending these two together https://hotkey404.com/how-to-turn-raspberry-pi-into-freepbx-based-gsm-gateway/
https://sysopstechnix.com/build-your-own-sms-gateway-using-raspberry-pi/
The problem is that if you want to offload SMS and voice, you’re going to be using data to do it. Whatever roaming fees will probably still apply.
I have wifi, I don’t need data
In that case, just use VPN software like Wireguard. You can reroute everything through your home setup.
So you’re looking for a self hosted VoIP and SMS solution. Google voice does let you send SMS over Wi-Fi, but it’s not self hosted.
For SMS KDE connect + VPN into your home network should work. Remote calls is a tough one tho.
https://silent.link/. Maybe?
