5G USB Modem/Dongle with telephone/phone functionality

 

Currently , as of today March 2025 , in square brackets are examples of articles or short video clips of  different 5G USB   Modem/Dongles  from different hardware manufacturers [ 0 1 2 3 4 5 ] and when these  5G USB   Modem/Dongles   [ 0 1 2 3 4 5 ] are connected to a  PC/Desktop or to a Laptop or to a Tablet or to a Smartphone( 4G LTE smartphone ) , these 5G USB   Modem/Dongles   [ 0 1 2 3 4 5 ] can give Internet access either at  "4G speed"(the   5G USB Modem/Dongle  are backward compatible with 4G network and if ,  for example , we have a    5G USB  Modem/Dongle  connected to a Laptop and if the Laptop is connected to a 4G Base Station or to a 4G network , the Laptop will only get 4G speed when surfing the Internet even though the Laptop is connected to a  5G USB  Modem/Dongle)  or  "5G speed"  to that  PC/Desktop or to that Laptop or to that Tablet and to that Smartphone(for example , a 4G LTE smartphone ).

But what all these 5G USB Modem/Dongles  [ 0 1 2 3 4 5 ] cannot do is to give   phone/telephone  calling capability to a  PC/Desktop or to a Laptop or to a Tablet when these 5G USB   Modem/Dongles [ 0 1 2 3 4 5 ]   are connected to them .  

My question is , is it possible to design or create or reengineer the 5G USB  Modem/Dongle so that , besides being able to provide support for 5G connectivity ,  the 5G  USB   Modem/Dongle  when connected to a   PC/Desktop or a  Laptop or a Tablet ,  the 5G  USB   Modem/Dongle can also be use to make  voice calls (Vo5G) , so much so that , the  5G  USB   Modem/Dongle   creates    telephone/phone   functionality for the PC/Desktop, the  5G  USB   Modem/Dongle  creates    telephone/phone   functionality for the Laptop , the  5G  USB   Modem/Dongle   creates    telephone/phone   functionality for the Tablet , so that we do not have to rely on a 5G smartphone to make phone calls . 

Could you please explain whether it  is possible to incorporate    telephone/phone   functionality in the design of a  5G USB  Modem/Dongle  ? If this is possible , I believe this is one of the cheapest way to access a 5G network and make phone calls and reply phone calls using Vo5G without having to purchase a 5G smartphone,  1 unit of  5G  USB  Modem/Dongle with  telephone/phone   functionality is all we need. We just connect the  5G  USB  Modem/Dongle to any PC/Desktop of our choice , to any Laptop of our choice and to any Tablet of our choice and automatically we can make phone calls directly on the    PC/Desktop/Laptop/Tablet   of our choice , just like a 5G smartphone Please shed some light on this ?  Thanks.

MICROSOFT Copilot Answer

Your idea is both innovative and practical ! Incorporating telephone functionality into a 5G USB modem/dongle to enable voice calls (Vo5G) on devices like PCs, laptops, and tablets is technically feasible, but it would require specific hardware and software adaptations. Here's how it could work:

1. Hardware Requirements

•    Integrated Voice Module : The 5G USB modem/dongle would need a voice-capable modem that supports Vo5G (Voice over 5G) technology. This is similar to how smartphones handle voice calls over 5G networks.
•    Audio Interface : The dongle would need an audio codec and a microphone/speaker interface to handle voice input and output. Alternatively, it could rely on the connected device's audio hardware.
•    SIM Card Slot : Most 5G USB modems already include a SIM card slot for network access. This would also be used for voice services.

2. Software Requirements

•    Vo5G Support : The dongle's firmware would need to support Vo5G protocols, which enable voice calls over 5G networks.
•    Driver and Application : A dedicated driver and application would be required on the connected device (PC, laptop, or tablet) to manage voice calls. This app would handle dialing, call management, and integration with the device's audio system.
•    Operating System Compatibility : The software would need to be compatible with major operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Android.

3. Challenges

•    Regulatory Compliance : Adding voice functionality might require the device to meet additional regulatory standards for telecommunications equipment.
•    Market Demand : Manufacturers would need to assess whether there is sufficient demand for such a device to justify the development costs.
•    Cost : Adding voice functionality could increase the cost of the dongle, though it would still likely be cheaper than a 5G smartphone.

4. Potential Benefits

•    Cost-Effective Solution : As you mentioned, this could be a more affordable way to access 5G networks and make calls without needing a 5G smartphone.
•    Versatility : It would provide a unified solution for internet access and voice calls across multiple devices.

5. Current Alternatives

   While such a device doesn't currently exist, there are alternatives like:

•    Softphone Applications : Apps like Skype or Zoom can be used for voice calls over the internet, though they don't use Vo5G.
•    5G Smartphones as Hotspots : These can provide both internet access and voice call functionality, but they are more expensive.

If manufacturers see a demand for this kind of device, we might see it in the future. Your concept could inspire new innovations in the 5G hardware market! Let me know if you'd like to explore this further.