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Do I understand correctly that it would be purely VoIP over GSM/2G/.../LTE? Where the particular VoIP implementation of choice is this "Matrix" protocol/ecosyst

by akavel 9y ago

Do I understand correctly that it would be purely VoIP over GSM/2G/.../LTE? Where the particular VoIP implementation of choice is this "Matrix" protocol/ecosystem? Which potentially at some point (with enough financing?) may get some gateways enabling calls between Matrix phones like this one, and regular GSM/2G/... mobile phones?

Arathorn 9y ago
The phone will have normal GSM in it, as well as being Matrix native when on IP (i.e. shipping a native Matrix.org client as the default dialler/messaging app, which will work whenever you have IP connectivity). A stretch goal is to also provide Matrix<->PSTN connectivity, so that if you're on IP but don't have GSM (or don't have a SIM in the phone), then you could also place/receive calls with the PSTN from Matrix. (Obviously this would then be also available to the rest of the Matrix ecosystem too). (Source: I work on Matrix)
- ThatGeoGuy 9y ago
  For those of us less informed: assuming a Matrix <-> PSTN bridge exists, does that mean that one would be able to send and receive phone calls and SMS to existing GSM numbers via a dedicated VOIP number? I don't understand PSTN at all, but wouldn't giving all matrix users dedicated VOIP numbers be difficult and costly?
  - Arathorn 9y ago
    Yup, that's the idea. Given this was the Matrix team's dayjob before getting sucked into Matrix, it's something relatively easy to do - although yes, we'd have to pass through the call/SMS and numbering costs. Now, if only Matrix had a payments ecosystem... https://matrix.org/blog/2017/08/22/thoughts-on-cryptocurrencies/ https://matrix.org/blog/2017/08/22/thoughts-on-cryptocurrenc...
- em3rgent0rdr 9y ago
  Is there a way to receive and send phone calls from my SIM card's phone number?
  - em3rgent0rdr 9y ago
    I found: "WILL MY EXISTING SIM CARD WORK ON THE LIBREM 5? We aim to support 3G and 4G for the most common international frequency bands and carriers. Exact specifications will follow." Unfortunately, all my contacts communicate via regular phone numbers, so this is a feature that I need for a phone. "We aim" is not too reassuring.
    - Arathorn 9y ago
      I think the "we aim" here refers to 3G/4G. The phone is going to have a baseband module, so yes, it will be able to do GSM phone calls & SMS like any old phone. I imagine that adding 3G/4G packet data in a FOSS manner may be harder however.
    - ThatGeoGuy 9y ago
      I think the "we aim" bit is more directed towards certain frequencies rather than "we're not sure if we can get 4G working". Take a look at any group of phones on https://willmyphonework.net https://willmyphonework.net and look at the differences between countries. Getting 3G/4G to work globally is a lot harder than just settling for US/Canada or US/Europe.

by akavel 9y ago

Arathorn 9y ago

The phone will have normal GSM in it, as well as being Matrix native when on IP (i.e. shipping a native Matrix.org client as the default dialler/messaging app, which will work whenever you have IP connectivity). A stretch goal is to also provide Matrix<->PSTN connectivity, so that if you're on IP but don't have GSM (or don't have a SIM in the phone), then you could also place/receive calls with the PSTN from Matrix. (Obviously this would then be also available to the rest of the Matrix ecosystem too). (Source: I work on Matrix)

ThatGeoGuy 9y ago
For those of us less informed: assuming a Matrix <-> PSTN bridge exists, does that mean that one would be able to send and receive phone calls and SMS to existing GSM numbers via a dedicated VOIP number? I don't understand PSTN at all, but wouldn't giving all matrix users dedicated VOIP numbers be difficult and costly?
- Arathorn 9y ago
  Yup, that's the idea. Given this was the Matrix team's dayjob before getting sucked into Matrix, it's something relatively easy to do - although yes, we'd have to pass through the call/SMS and numbering costs. Now, if only Matrix had a payments ecosystem... https://matrix.org/blog/2017/08/22/thoughts-on-cryptocurrencies/ https://matrix.org/blog/2017/08/22/thoughts-on-cryptocurrenc...
em3rgent0rdr 9y ago
Is there a way to receive and send phone calls from my SIM card's phone number?
- em3rgent0rdr 9y ago
  I found: "WILL MY EXISTING SIM CARD WORK ON THE LIBREM 5? We aim to support 3G and 4G for the most common international frequency bands and carriers. Exact specifications will follow." Unfortunately, all my contacts communicate via regular phone numbers, so this is a feature that I need for a phone. "We aim" is not too reassuring.
  - Arathorn 9y ago
    I think the "we aim" here refers to 3G/4G. The phone is going to have a baseband module, so yes, it will be able to do GSM phone calls & SMS like any old phone. I imagine that adding 3G/4G packet data in a FOSS manner may be harder however.
  - ThatGeoGuy 9y ago
    I think the "we aim" bit is more directed towards certain frequencies rather than "we're not sure if we can get 4G working". Take a look at any group of phones on https://willmyphonework.net https://willmyphonework.net and look at the differences between countries. Getting 3G/4G to work globally is a lot harder than just settling for US/Canada or US/Europe.