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Re:Show HN: A USB-C LTE modem that gives my computer a phone... by j45 on Saturday October 31, 2026 @04:05PM (#50319601)
I believe there are VOIP phones that are sim card based. Imagine a country that doesn't have land lines but folks want a home phone.
Re:Show HN: A USB-C LTE modem that gives my computer a phone... by wolrah on Saturday October 31, 2026 @04:27PM (#50319806)
There are SIP to cellular gateways which have historically been very popular in regions where landline to mobile calls cost money but mobile to mobile do not, but they mostly don't exist in the US market other than high-density devices mostly used by SMS spammers.

The only actual VoIP phone with a SIM card I'm aware of is the Yealink T74LTE which for a long time was exclusive to Verizon's business phone service but has recently become available for general purchase, those can support both SIM over LTE data and VoLTE (which is also basically SIP but over a prioritized channel).

Re:Show HN: A USB-C LTE modem that gives my computer a phone... by Scoundreller on Saturday October 31, 2026 @05:17PM (#50320331)
I'd like this kind of setup because my VoIP provider charges a couple bucks a month for 9-1-1 while sending 9-1-1 over cellular would be free
Re:Show HN: A USB-C LTE modem that gives my computer a phone... by j45 on Saturday October 31, 2026 @06:20PM (#50320823)
I recall seeing some that were offered in Asia but might not be elsewhere.

It looked like an office desk phone but instead of Ethernet, a SIM card goes only. Some came with a cordless handset with it too. seeing

Re:Show HN: A USB-C LTE modem that gives my computer a phone... by wolrah on Saturday October 31, 2026 @10:21PM (#50322181)
> It looked like an office desk phone but instead of Ethernet, a SIM card goes only.

Eww, I hate that such a thing exists. Everyone involved in its development needs their decision-making privileges revoked for anything more consequential than breakfast.

There is no good reason for an internet connected device to be cellular-only unless it's intended to effectively never be in "home territory". Every other such device should at least have WiFi so it's useful in areas where there is no cell service and doesn't need to use limited cellular spectrum even wheb there is service.

There is also no good reason for an internet connected device that's not expected to move while in operation to not have an ethernet port. It's unfortunately common amongst consumer-targeted devices (e.g. Nintendo Wii and a surprisingly large number of printers) but it's bad nonetheless. If it can reasonably be wired it should be wired, period. If it doesn't move and isn't in a weird spot, you need to have a really good reason why it can't be wired to justify using WiFi and "I don't like wires" has never been and will never be such a reason.

Re:Show HN: A USB-C LTE modem that gives my computer a phone... by j45 on Sunday November 01, 2026 @09:29AM (#50326047)
Everything doesn’t have to be for everyone.

The reason why this product exists is for homes in places where there is no telephone or cable tv wiring to the house.

This is a massive part of the world and part of why the countries that didn’t have a wired setup in many cars jumped straight to wireless.