Community - Linphone

Open source and standardized protocols: our DNA

Collective innovation and open standards are at the heart of our approach.

Since its creation in 2010, Belledonne Communications has been developing and maintaining the software projects Linphone and Flexisip, along with the associated software layers. All our components are available under GNU/GPL and Affero GPL open-source licenses and are based on IETF standardized protocols, reflecting our commitment to transparency and innovation.

Free and Open Source Software

An open source software is a software whose source code is made available to the public. This means that anyone can view, modify, and redistribute the code, provided they comply with the conditions defined by the open source license.

Free software goes beyond simply opening the source code. It guarantees users four fundamental freedoms:

The freedom to run the program for any purpose.
The freedom to study how the program works and modify it to suit their needs.
The freedom to redistribute copies of the software.
The freedom to improve the program and share those improvements with the community.

The open source development model offers several benefits, both for individual users and for businesses and governments.

Transparency and Security

With open source code, anyone can examine, test, and improve the software. This allows vulnerabilities to be detected and fixed more quickly, contributing to enhanced security. Access to the code also ensures that no backdoors are hidden, providing complete transparency about how the software operates.

Freedom

Free and open source software licenses guarantee users the freedom to modify, adapt, and maintain the solutions they use, whether they are free or purchased.

Other developers can modify and adapt the open source software to meet their specific needs or improve it, and can share their improvements with the community.

Testing and Learning

Free and open source software allows developers and students to enhance their skills by exploring and contributing to real-world projects. With access to the source code, anyone can analyze how the software works and experiment with modifications.

These software solutions are often free to use, allowing users to test them without any commitment before making a purchase decision. Developers can use these tools to create prototypes before finalizing their technical choices.

Innovation

The open source and free model fosters innovation by giving developers the ability to build on existing foundations to create new features and solutions. This approach encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing, thereby accelerating the emergence of new ideas and technologies.

Independence

Organizations that rely on proprietary software can find themselves trapped by evolving business strategies imposed by vendors, with no ability to change them. By choosing open source solutions and free software, they minimize this risk and maintain greater control over their technological tools.

We are committed to open-source development while also offering organizations the option to integrate our software into closed-source projects.

That’s why our software is available under a dual license: GPL for use in open-source projects and proprietary for closed-source projects.

Developments funded by our clients under the proprietary license are also integrated into the open-source version, benefiting the community as a whole!

Standardized Protocols

Our software is based on standardized protocols from the IETF.

The adoption of standardized protocols ensures interoperability, security, and long-term compatibility, while reducing the risks of vendor lock-in and fostering innovation.

Interoperability

Software based on open standards can communicate and work with other systems, hardware, or applications that use the same standards, thus facilitating its integration into existing infrastructures.

Reduction of R&D Costs

The use of standardized protocols allows developers to rely on proven technologies, benefiting from the community and available resources, which reduces costs and accelerates development.

Reliability and Security

Protocols such as SIP, RTP, and ZRTP are widely adopted and tested by large communities or industries, providing enhanced security and reliability through rigorous validation.

Scalability

SIP is designed to be flexible: it can handle various types of media (voice, video, text) and is highly scalable. Standardized protocols are built to be sustainable and adaptable over time.

Discover our roadmap for the upcoming year

Follow the key features currently in development

Our software is constantly evolving thanks to the financial support of our partner clients. Want to know if a feature is already available or get a quote for a custom development? Contact us now!

Watch the latest conferences

The developers of the Linphone and Flexisip projects regularly participate in conferences where they share their knowledge, present our latest innovations, and help strengthen the Linphone community.