Hello,

So I have a Motorola SM56 USB Data Fax Modem (aka Apple USB Modem for some people) and according to information online this modem supports V.92, Caller ID, wake-on-ring and most importantly telephone answering (V.253).

At a place I happen to have an old telephone analog line that gets calls and unfortunately I can’t get rid of. Any ideias / links / software on how can I use the modem + a low end box / ARM SBC to “digitize” the phone line into a generic SIP / VOIP that I can then connect to using MicroSIP on another computer?

Thank you.

  • socphoenix@midwest.social
    8·
    8 months ago

    If it’s capable of acting like an fxo card then probably yes, with something like asterisk, without knowing more about the modem I would guess no however. You can see here for a forum discussion on the topic.

  • wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works
    41·
    8 months ago

    FWIW, Linux has very poor support, if at all, for softmodems. I think the apple modem is one. But if not and it shows up fine in the devices, then what the other person said!

    • cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      2·
      8 months ago

      There used to be quite a few softmodems that could be made to work in Linux. The problem is that most of the drivers have been unmaintained for 15-20 years.

      • wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        8 months ago

        While that’s true, that doesn’t change what I said. The current state of softmodems in Linux is basically non existent. That’s fine, soft modems kind suck anyway ;)

  • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
    3·
    8 months ago

    Why can’t you have your phone provider convert your service to digital? If they provide cell service too, you might even get them to port the number to cell service.

    • TCB13@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      11·
      8 months ago

      Close to no cell service in the location, let alone optic fiber or any other means. Stuck with an analog landline that does ADSL at around 3.5 Mbps.

      • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        8 months ago

        I’d still start by calling your provider and see what they think. They might jump at the chance to get rid of an old analog line.

        Though I will warn you that IP telephony, while generally reliable, is still not as reliable as POTS. If this is critical to life safety, I’d just not mess with it.

        I’m not aware of any software to do that, but I’m sure it exists. If you want to buy a device, you can get an FXO gateway or hybrid ATA. Those will let you use a VoIP phone over a POTS line, I think.

        Also, if you already have Internet access, perhaps you might get a femtocell to provide local cell service over that ADSL connection.

        • TCB13@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          3·
          8 months ago

          I’d still start by calling your provider and see what they think. They might jump at the chance to get rid of an old analog line.

          Tried that route, they offered us a free cellphone line for a month and the thing was working around 2-3 hours a day around the middle of the day. They simply gave up and told me that they didn’t have other options on that location.

  • Skull giver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl
    1·
    8 months ago

    Does a SIP ATA work for you? You could probably get an old phone card and use that to convert the call to SIP but honestly I’d spend the 80 bucks on a separate box that’ll do all that for you. Some of the options even have a WiFi antenna.