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Department of Engineering, ICT and Technologies for Energy and Transport Patent Title System and methodology for making phone calls and sending text messages. Ref. CNR 10363 Assignee(s): CNR CNR Institute: IIT Main Inventor: Fabio Martinelli Countries: IT, EP Priority date: 09/12/2014 Abstract The present invention refers to a system and a methodology to allow free calls and/or text messages toward any device, exploiting messages and minutes shared by other users (bridge devices) using an Internet channel. In this way it is possible to exploit the free minutes and messages included in the monthly plans of a mobile operators and payed by users. In fact, several users consume only a small amount of their free minutes and messages and, at the end of the month, these minutes and messages are lost. The proposed technology allows users to “sell” part of their minutes and messages, so that they can be exploited by other users. Background The invention refers to the field of communication applications (App) for mobile devices (smartphones and tablets). Examples of these applications are VoIP applications, instant messaging Apps and social networks. However, these applications allow to send message and/or perform voice calls for free only between the users of the same application, also requiring a 3G/4G connection on both caller and recipient. Technology An Internet channel for voice or text messages is opened between the caller and a user (called “bridge device”); the user shares its free minutes or text messages. The bridge will perform the phone call or send the message. Advantages and Applications The technology allows to establish a channel to transmit voice or text messages (SMS) without any direct billing from any phone service provider. It gives the possibility to reach any possible recipient, including landlines and legacy mobile devices with 2G connection, without requiring premium subscriptions or to buy credit, used to cover the price of phone call paid by current services to mobile operators. Development stage Developed a first proof of concept. 37