SIP Trunking Explained
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Trunks connect your business to the Public Telephone Network (PSTN) using VoIP rather than a traditional analogue or ISDN line. It is just one of the “protocols” you can use for VoIP communications and is similar to how HTTP functions with pages on the internet – providing a way to convert voice signals into data that can be decoded by the caller’s devices.
How many concurrent calls can be made with SIP Trunking?
A SIP trunk is essentially the virtual version of an analogue phone line and through the use of SIP trunks, a SIP phone system provider can connect one, four, or fourty channels to your PBX, depending on your internet bandwidth capacity allowing you to make local, long distance, and international calls over the Internet. If you have an on-premises PBX in your office, a SIP trunk provider can connect to you and allow you to make outbound calls on your existing system, without restrictions on the number of concurrent calls.
What are the benefits of SIP Trunking for business?
SIP Trunking provides a range of benefits for businesses and is usually a cost-saving replacement for a traditional analogue phone system. In fact, one-off and rental costs for SIP Trunking can be up to 70% lower than an ISDN line. Other benefits include:
- Lower monthly line rental and call charges – the monthly fee to have a number of lines installed at your office drops when you install SIP Trunks. You can even save on international call charges.
- Better customer service – you can provide better customer service by offering cheaper international calls with SIP Trunks.
- Keep you existing number – SIP Trunks are not bound by location, so if you have to move offices you won't need to pay to forward phone calls to the new location.
- Locational Flexibility – It is easy to add channels to your SIP Trunk. A simple phone call will allow you to add channels and it’s easy to choose the exact number of channels you need.
- No need for VoIP Gateways – SIP Trunks will eliminate the need to buy and manage VoIP Gateways, as all phone calls come in via your IP.
Switching to SIP Trunking
If you are a business that is thinking about switching to SIP trunking, there are several factors you should first consider:
Broadband capacity
As mentioned above, the quality of your broadband is a key factor when switching to SIP. Although most businesses will have invested in a reliable broadband provider, it’s advisable to double check the compatibility of your existing connection before making a decision as this could impact the type of service you are able to achieve.
Your business needs
Businesses are often pleased to discover that SIP is a cheaper business telephone solution. However, you should always consider your unique business needs before completing the switch. For instance, If your business does not make video calls or send multimedia messages, a simpler VoIP solution may be more suitable for you. Additionally, although SIP trunking is suitable for any business you should always consider the size of your business as this will ultimately have an affect on your needs.
Particularly, any business or site with a high volume of outbound and inbound calls will likely need the flexibility and cost-effectiveness that SIP Trunking provides – for example call centres and businesses that require multiple phone numbers without the need for multiple phone lines. For smaller businesses, a much less complex SIP Trunking system will be required.
Our specialists can offer you ultimate security when it comes to SIP Trunking, ensuring an immediate response to any fraud and security threats. We monitor your system and offer an extremely competitive cost for our services.
We will consult with you to discover exactly what you want from your SIP Trunking and provide a service to match. If you're interested in SIP Trunking for your business, call us today on 01202 514 444!
