Ghost Call Online - Decentralized PSTN on Cardano & Midnight ANON & Open Source Phone Network

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Ghost Call Online

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will build a decentralized VoIP platform, allowing users to make calls & send SMS to real phone numbers while maintaining privacy Powered by Cardano users can earn rewards by running lowpower nodes

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Our project will be fully open-source under the MIT License. All core components, including the decentralized PSTN VoIP protocol, node software, and the smart contracts for token rewards, will be openly available on GitHub. This ensures transparency, community collaboration, and innovation throughout the project’s lifecycle. The only exception is the user data handling code, which will remain proprietary to protect privacy and security, but its functionality will be thoroughly documented.

[METADATA] Horizons

Security

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We aim to solve the issue of privacy and security in communication by creating a decentralized, open-source PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) powered by the Cardano blockchain. Ghost Call Online will allow users to make VoIP calls and send SMS messages to traditional phone numbers anonymously and securely, without needing to disclose their personal phone numbers.

Our approach leverages Cardano’s proof-of-stake system to run low-power, decentralized nodes, rewarding users for network participation while also offering premium features based on staked tokens. This aligns with Cardano's mission of decentralization, security, and community-driven innovation.

We will engage open-source developers, white-hat hackers, and privacy advocates to help build and maintain the network, ensuring continuous improvement. Our impact will be demonstrated through the deployment of working prototypes, user growth, and the creation of a fully decentralized, anonymous communication network that has the potential to disrupt the telecom industry and ensure user privacy.

This is important to Cardano because it showcases the platform’s versatility in powering decentralized communication networks while incentivizing participation through staking, further solidifying Cardano’s use cases in the real world.

https://medium.com/@darknode66

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Our project, Ghost Call Online, will positively impact the wider Cardano community by demonstrating a practical, real-world use case for blockchain in decentralized communication. By building an open-source PSTN on Cardano, we will drive innovation, showcase the platform's security and scalability, and attract more developers, users, and potential investors to the ecosystem.

Measuring Impact: We will measure the impact quantitatively by tracking key metrics:

  Number of active nodes and network participants.

  Amount of ADA staked to run nodes.

  Number of VoIP calls and SMS messages sent.

  User adoption rates, developer contributions, and open-source community engagement.

  Successful deployment of the decentralized communication network and real-world use cases.

Qualitative measures will include user feedback, developer contributions, and community engagement.

Sharing Outputs: Our outputs, including code, documentation, and tutorials, will be shared on open-source repositories such as GitHub under an MIT license. We will also create developer guides, run workshops, and participate in Cardano community channels, such as forums, Catalyst updates, and Cardano-focused events, to promote the project's benefits and encourage adoption.

This project will bring lasting value to Cardano by adding a novel utility for ADA holders and expanding the network's decentralized application ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our team has a strong background in open-source development, blockchain technology, and decentralized systems. We are experienced in building and deploying scalable solutions, with a particular focus on privacy, security, and VoIP technologies. Our previous work includes launching successful blockchain projects, managing development teams, and contributing to open-source projects.

Capabilities:

  Technical Expertise: Our developers have expertise in blockchain development, smart contracts, and decentralized networks. We also have specialists in VoIP and PSTN technologies.

  Project Management: We use Agile methodologies to ensure timely delivery, efficient resource allocation, and transparent communication with stakeholders.

  Open-Source Experience: We have a track record of contributing to and maintaining open-source projects, ensuring that our work aligns with best practices and community standards.

Feasibility Validation:

  Proof of Concept (PoC): Our project’s PoC will involve creating a basic decentralized communication network using Cardano nodes, with a minimal set of features to test feasibility. This early stage will help validate the core technical approach and ensure that the system can scale.

  Milestone-Based Approach: We will break down the project into achievable milestones with clear deliverables, making it easy to track progress and course-correct when needed.

  Community Testing: We will engage with the Cardano community to test early versions, gather feedback, and iterate on the solution.

Trust and Accountability:

  Transparent Fund Management: We will provide detailed financial reporting, including how funds are allocated across development, testing, and infrastructure. Regular updates on Catalyst forums and Cardano community channels will ensure full transparency.

  Milestone-Based Funding: We will request funds in phases, releasing further funds only after delivering on each milestone to ensure responsible use of resources and community trust.

  Open Communication: We will maintain constant communication with the Catalyst community, offering progress updates, responding to feedback, and ensuring our approach remains aligned with community expectations.

Our proven technical expertise, open-source philosophy, and transparent processes ensure we can be trusted to deliver Ghost Call Online with the highest levels of trust and accountability.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Establish Core Network Architecture

A: Milestone Outputs

  Set up the foundational infrastructure for Ghost Call Online’s decentralized communication network.

  Deploy Cardano nodes and Linux server nodes that will handle PSTN communication and phone number management.

  Design and implement the staking mechanism for node operators, ensuring rewards are properly distributed based on token staked.

B: Acceptance Criteria

  Successfully deploy at least 5 Cardano low-power nodes and 3 Linux server nodes on the testnet.

  Implement the initial smart contract for staking and reward distribution.

  The system should allow node operators to stake tokens and validate communication between phones using the PSTN infrastructure.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

  Documentation showing node deployment, including network logs and uptime metrics.

  A working prototype of the staking system, demonstrated with test transactions and token staking on the Cardano testnet.

  Publicly available code repository with the smart contract and node setup instructions.

Milestone 2: Develop Encrypted Communication Feature

A: Milestone Outputs

  Build out the encrypted communication feature that allows users to connect to each other securely through VoIP.

  Integrate phone number and port assignment processes with Linux server nodes to establish encrypted peer-to-peer connections between phones.

B: Acceptance Criteria

  The system should successfully assign a phone number and port to users without requiring traditional carrier involvement.

  Peer-to-peer VoIP communication between two devices should be successfully encrypted and secure.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

  Successful tests of phone-to-phone communication on the network, with logs demonstrating encryption and connection integrity.

  User feedback from a closed beta, documenting communication performance and encryption verification.

  Open-source code showing the communication protocol, encryption implementation, and phone number management system.

Milestone 3: Launch Alpha Version and Engage Open-Source Community

A: Milestone Outputs

 Release the alpha version of Ghost Call Online to the open-source community.

 Publish a detailed guide for developers to contribute to the codebase and run their own nodes.

 Create an online forum for feedback and contributions.

B: Acceptance Criteria

 Alpha release available for download on GitHub with clear instructions for setup and contribution.

 At least 50 community members running nodes and contributing feedback.

 The alpha version includes all core features: staking, communication, and encryption.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

 Number of downloads and active community members participating in the alpha release.

 Community feedback collected via GitHub issues and discussion forums.

 Regular updates and contributions from external developers, with code commits from the community tracked in the repository.

These milestones will demonstrate tangible progress towards the full deployment of Ghost Call Online while providing measurable outcomes to validate each stage of development.

Closeout video and report uploaded to milestone reviewers

Also uploaded to YouTube and Medium and our Gitbook

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Project Team and Roles

  [Founder] – Project Lead/Founder

  Role: Overseeing the entire development of Ghost Call Online, coordinating with the Cardano and open-source communities, and managing resources. Responsible for strategic decisions and ensuring milestones are achieved.

  LinkedIn: [Insert LinkedIn Profile]

  [Team Member 1] – Blockchain Developer

  Role: Responsible for implementing the staking mechanism on the Cardano blockchain, deploying and maintaining Cardano low-power nodes, and integrating smart contracts for reward distribution and token staking.

  LinkedIn: [Insert LinkedIn Profile]

  [Team Member 2] – DevOps Engineer

  Role: Manages the deployment and maintenance of Linux server nodes, ensuring secure and reliable PSTN communication between users. Sets up the infrastructure for phone number assignment and encrypted VoIP connections.

  LinkedIn: [Insert LinkedIn Profile]

  [Team Member 3] – Open-Source Developer & Community Manager

  Role: Engages with the open-source community, manages the repository, and supports contributors with documentation and onboarding. Acts as the bridge between external developers and the core team.

  LinkedIn: [Insert LinkedIn Profile]

  [Team Member 4] – Security Engineer

  Role: Focuses on the security architecture of the platform, ensuring encrypted communication between users. Audits the network for vulnerabilities and maintains the security protocols for both Cardano and Linux server nodes.

  LinkedIn: [Insert LinkedIn Profile]

  [Team Member 5] – UI/UX Designer

  Role: Designs the user interface and experience for Ghost Call Online, ensuring the platform is user-friendly and accessible. Works on the front-end design for node operators and end-users interacting with the PSTN network.

  LinkedIn: [Insert LinkedIn Profile]

Additional Recruitment Needs:

  Smart Contract Developer: We plan to hire a developer with expertise in Cardano smart contracts to ensure robust staking and rewards mechanisms.

  VoIP Developer: Needed to refine the encrypted communication feature and work on integrating VoIP functionality within the PSTN system.

  QA Engineer: Responsible for testing the network’s functionality and ensuring high performance across all communication and staking systems.

Engagement with Technical Communities: We have engaged with several developers and contributors on Discord and Telegram in the Cardano community, and they have expressed interest in supporting the project. We will continue this outreach for development and testing.

This assembled team possesses the technical and operational capabilities to ensure the successful execution of Ghost Call Online.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Budget Breakdown for Ghost Call Online (35,000 ADA)

1. Blockchain Development (10,000 ADA)

  Smart Contract Development (Staking & Rewards): 6,000 ADA

  Implementing and testing the staking system, token rewards, and proof-of-stake mechanism on the Cardano blockchain.

  Cardano Node Setup & Maintenance: 4,000 ADA

  Deployment and ongoing maintenance of low-power Cardano nodes to secure and decentralize the platform.

1. Linux Server Infrastructure (8,000 ADA)

  Server Hosting & Maintenance: 5,000 ADA

  Costs for setting up traditional Linux servers to host the open-source PSTN code, manage the secure communication channels, and maintain service uptime.

  VoIP System Development & Integration: 3,000 ADA

  Development and integration of the VoIP system for secure, encrypted communication between users.

1. Open-Source Development & Community Engagement (5,000 ADA)

  Open-Source Repository Management: 2,000 ADA

  Managing the repository, documentation, onboarding developers, and providing support for the open-source community.

  Community Engagement & Developer Outreach: 3,000 ADA

  Funding marketing and outreach to open-source developers and white-hat hackers to contribute to the project. This includes Discord, Telegram, and GitHub engagement campaigns.

1. Security & Auditing (4,000 ADA)

  Network Security Audits: 2,500 ADA

  Auditing the security of both the Cardano-based staking system and the Linux server nodes to prevent vulnerabilities.

  Encryption Protocol Implementation: 1,500 ADA

  Securing encrypted communication between phones and ensuring safe data transmission using cryptography standards.

1. UI/UX Design & Testing (3,000 ADA)

  UI/UX Development for Node Operators & Users: 2,000 ADA

  Design and testing of user-friendly interfaces for both low-power node operators and end-users interacting with the platform.

  User Testing & Feedback: 1,000 ADA

  Funding a small group of beta testers to evaluate the platform's usability and identify areas of improvement.

1. Marketing, Community Building, and Publicity (3,000 ADA)

  Publicity & Promotion: 2,000 ADA

  Marketing campaigns to raise awareness of Ghost Call Online, including social media, developer communities, and blockchain forums.

  Community Building & Management: 1,000 ADA

  Supporting the creation of an active user base and engaging the Cardano community for node operation and token staking.

1. Project Management & Reporting (2,000 ADA)

  Project Management Tools & Resources: 1,000 ADA

  Subscription to project management tools (Trello, Slack) and collaboration software for team coordination.

  Reporting & Documentation: 1,000 ADA

  Regular updates to the Cardano community, Catalyst reporting, and detailed documentation of progress at each milestone.

Total Requested Budget: 35,000 ADA

Additional Funding:

If the cost of the project exceeds the current budget (35,000 ADA), we plan to explore additional funding opportunities through external grants, developer sponsorships, and community contributions.

This budget ensures that each component of Ghost Call Online is properly funded, from the development of core systems to community engagement and security audits, while staying accountable for the use of funds.

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Value for Money for the Cardano Ecosystem

The cost of 35,000 ADA for Ghost Call Online represents excellent value for money by enabling the development of a decentralized, open-source communication system on the Cardano blockchain, which fosters innovation, decentralization, and utility within the ecosystem. Here's why:

  Low-Cost Node Operation: Our system leverages low-power Cardano nodes, which are significantly cheaper to maintain than traditional high-power nodes. By incentivizing users to operate these nodes through staking rewards, we are creating a decentralized network at a fraction of the cost associated with other blockchains. This decentralization enhances Cardano’s security and scalability, while keeping operational costs low.

  Efficient Use of Open-Source Development: The project's reliance on open-source contributions reduces development costs by engaging the community to co-develop and improve the platform. This open-source nature further contributes to the value of Cardano as a blockchain, promoting collaboration and increasing the Cardano ecosystem’s visibility to developers. We estimate a reduction in traditional development costs by at least 30% due to community contributions.

  Security and Stability Focus: The inclusion of a comprehensive security audit ensures that both the Cardano-based staking system and Linux server nodes are secure. By investing in strong security protocols, we minimize future costs associated with vulnerabilities and potential breaches. Security audits are industry-standard and essential for a project handling decentralized communications, ensuring the platform is safe and reliable for all users.

  Cost-Effective Development: The budget allocated for software development and UI/UX is aligned with typical freelance rates for blockchain and VoIP developers, taking into account the cost of living in our region and the need for skilled expertise. In particular, blockchain development costs are competitive, as we've benchmarked them against industry averages for similar projects.

  Scalability and Long-Term Savings: The decentralized nature of our project is inherently scalable, with minimal increases in operational costs as the network grows. This future-proofing ensures that the Cardano ecosystem benefits from long-term savings, as more users and node operators join the network without proportionate increases in cost.

In summary, by focusing on decentralized, low-cost infrastructure and engaging the open-source community, Ghost Call Online delivers an innovative solution for Cardano at a reasonable cost, offering significant long-term benefits to the ecosystem.