asterisk users - Aug 2006 - USB GSM gateway for Asterisk?

There's been some (futile?) effort a while back attempting to get a 
Bluetooth capable phone integrated into asterisk as a channel.  The 
idea, of course, was to make it possible to have asterisk utilize a 
cellular connection for backup, calls on free nights/weekends, or free 
in-network minutes.

How about skipping the phone entirely?  I just found this --
http://www.falcom.de/?id=283

It's an integrated quad-band GSM engine with a USB connection.  Claims 
to be able to do data, fax, voice, SMS/MMS etc, even EDGE speeds.  
Prices I found are 170 Euros or US$225.  Considering the alternative 
($20 USB dongle, $180 BT capable phone), this seems like a very 
competitive option.

I'd expect it to be in Falcom's best interest to support development 
efforts as it would open the asterisk market to them.  Anyone up for 
creating a bounty-page for this?

Voice traffic would be the first priority, but SMS would certainly be a 
desired option.  Personally, I wouldn't mind being able to utilize EDGE 
as an emergency backup for my network, allowing at least mail traffic 
and such.

You can find cheap gsm (+/- 150$) gateways too, although the cheap ones 
will require a additional pstn card. (expensive ones could do sip)

Zoa.

Jay Milk wrote:
> There's been some (futile?) effort a while back attempting to get a 
> Bluetooth capable phone integrated into asterisk as a channel.  The 
> idea, of course, was to make it possible to have asterisk utilize a 
> cellular connection for backup, calls on free nights/weekends, or free 
> in-network minutes.
>
> How about skipping the phone entirely?  I just found this --
> http://www.falcom.de/?id=283
>
> It's an integrated quad-band GSM engine with a USB connection.  Claims 
> to be able to do data, fax, voice, SMS/MMS etc, even EDGE speeds.  
> Prices I found are 170 Euros or US$225.  Considering the alternative 
> ($20 USB dongle, $180 BT capable phone), this seems like a very 
> competitive option.
>
> I'd expect it to be in Falcom's best interest to support
development
> efforts as it would open the asterisk market to them.  Anyone up for 
> creating a bounty-page for this?
>
> Voice traffic would be the first priority, but SMS would certainly be 
> a desired option.  Personally, I wouldn't mind being able to utilize 
> EDGE as an emergency backup for my network, allowing at least mail 
> traffic and such.
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