4G modem breakout + Linux computer as alternative to a phone

submitted by halfapage to linuxphones 32 points | 8 comments Would it be possible to use Linux PC working with - for example - Quectel modem broken out on a PCB with a SIM card slot and an antenna as a substitute for a phone? More specifically: * are linux drivers for such modems readily available? The ones I’ve been working with are basically USB devices, they work with raspberry pis but I have no idea if the drivers are custom/propertiary and if you can phone/send SMS through them. In the application I’ve seen they only provide access to the internet. * do linux apps working as contact list/dialer/SMS receiver/sender exist? I’m tired of buying new phone every few years and more and more of control various OS owners want over devices, and I don’t care if I would look like a mad man using a weird/ugly/inconvenient device as long as I can mix and match components and repair it myself. Just wanted to ask in case if anybody happens to know answers to the questions above.