SIP Trunking is a pretty common phrase these days, particularly in the communication landscape. However, the term “SIP Trunk” can also be quite difficult to grasp. Even if you know the basics of what a “trunk” is for telephony, you might not know what the “SIP” protocol is.

Alternatively, you might have difficulty understanding the difference between a SIP trunk and a SIP line, and how both of these resources can benefit your business.

SIP Trunks are essentially an alternative to the old-fashioned ISDN lines that companies used to rely on for their calls. As telephony moves away from PSTN (Public Switched Telephony Networks), and communication vendors replace ISDN lines around the globe, SIP is becoming increasingly essential. To most, SIP will be the inevitable heart of their upgrade to a more “digital” communication stack.

Let’s explore what SIP trunking is going to mean to your company.

What is SIP Trunking? An Introduction

SIP, or Session Initiation Protocol is just one of the tools that companies can use for VoIP calling (Voice over Internet Protocol). It’s a method of converting voice signals and other forms of communication into data that the endpoints in a communication stack can decode.

On the PSTN network, a “trunk” is a word usually referring to the bundle of lines shared among a group of users. Think of how cables can combine together to create a sort of trunk shape. The term “trunk” doesn’t apply to a physical collection of wires or cables for a SIP trunking service because those physical lines don’t exist. Instead, the trunk is a combination of “virtual” lines.

SIP Trunks are the digital alternative to the ISDN lines required to connected phones for telephone calls. Typically, when a company made a call in the past, they would link to the PSTN through a PBX (Private Branch Exchange). With SIP trunks, the organisation is connected to the external world through connections to various data networks.

SIP Trunks facilitate calls over the internet, so you don’t have to maintain one network for data and one for calls in your company.

How Does SIP Trunking Work?

The SIP protocol works by sending packets of information from one SIP address to the next. SIP can send voice data over the web, but also instant messages and video. SIP is therefore an exchange of information that happens over the internet. Once a SIP session is established, it only takes milliseconds for the protocol to convey information from one environment to another.

Equipment is required at the end of each side of the call, or SIP session, to convey the message from one environment to another. This is where your desk phone and softphone devices come in, to show a message, a video, or call. You’ll need to connect a SIP Trunk to a SIP compatible device for it to work. As companies demand more mobility, they’re beginning to use a mixture of softphones, desk phones, and mobile endpoints to connect to SIP trunks.

Once SIP is connected with an IP PBX, it can route calls over a data network, offering a variety of benefits over standard old-fashioned phone systems.

Are SIP Trunks Different to SIP Lines?

Here’s where things can start to get a little confusing with SIP. While a SIP Trunk refers to the combination of lines and connections that enable communications, a SIP line is essentially a branch of that overall environment. SIP lines are lanes that you can use to exchange communication information between two locations or points.

In modern companies, a large number of SIP lines are often configured at the same time to create a single SIP trunk. For instance, in a call centre running on VoIP technology, a single SIP trunk would hold many channels, all of which can handle different calls. This means that many businesses only need one SIP trunk for their entire communication ecosystem.

The number of SIP lines required in a trunk will depend on the average number of calls your business handles. Some companies can offer unlimited SIP lines, while others offer a specific number of SIP lines with unlimited minutes.

Before you begin deploying SIP trunks, you’ll need to consider how many lines you need. You’ll also need to make a decision about whether you want your SIP trunks to be centralized or decentralized. Centralized SIP trunks direct calls to a single location, while decentralized configurations give each office in your network its own SIP trunk.

What are the Benefits of SIP Trunking?

While transitioning away from PSTN lines might seem complex or daunting to some companies, there are many advantages to moving into SIP. The advantages include lower monthly line rentals and call charges, improved customer service, and enhanced flexibility.

When you switch to SIP trunking, your calls and conversations are carried over the internet, rather than relying on physical old-fashioned communication networks. This means that just like you don’t have to pay for each email you send to a team member, you can make internal calls and manage certain aspects of communication for free.

SIP trunking also helps to eliminate some of the maintenance costs usually associated with handling traditional phone lines and trunks.

Benefits of SIP trunking include:

  • Lower costs for monthly line rental thanks to fewer lines installed at your office.
  • Lower call charges thanks to competition amongst SIP trunk providers. Some SIP trunks even offer unlimited calling.
  • Better customer service offered through more geographical and international numbers. Businesses can easily and efficiently add numbers to their SIP solutions and terminate them too. Since customers can contact companies with greater ease, this can mean that sales increase too.
  • SIP trunking solutions don’t just support voice conversations, you can also send all kinds of video and chat messages through the same environment. It’s a great way to take your communication strategy to the next level.
  • All of your content for things like calls and video are handled in the same system, rather than needing a different software package for each part of your organization.
  • SIP trunks aren’t bound to a location, which means that you can move offices without having to change your number. Most SIP trunking providers will be able to transition all of your existing numbers into your new environment.
  • You can eliminate VoIP gateways, as all phone calls arrive via IP. This means no extra conversion costs are necessary. Plus, because everything moves so smoothly, call quality is often preserved.
  • Modern IP PBX solutions. Modern IP PBX/UC solutions offer customers enhanced productivity, better sales, and mobility. Connecting your IP PBX to a SIP trunking solution is far easier than using PSTN.
  • It’s easier to include additional channels on your SIP trunks to handle increased calls. Simple phone calls allow you to add channels almost immediately.
  • With SIP trunks, you can select the perfect number of channels for your unique requirements. On the other hand, with ISDN, you’d have to choose a specific number of lines.

How Much Does SIP Trunking Cost?

SIP Trunking promises to be a valuable alternative to the old-fashioned PSTN and ISDN environments for communication. The price you pay for SIP trunking will depend on various factors, including how many SIP lines you need in a single trunk. Usually, when shopping for a SIP Trunking provider, companies will need to assess the average number of calls they expect to make and receive on a given day. A record or log of calls can help with this.

When purchasing your SIP trunk solution, you’ll need to consider a host of factors, including how much bandwidth you need, and what kind of extra features you might want. For instance, some of the most common features to look for when picking a SIP Trunking provider include:

  • Security: SIP trunks are connected to the internet. Like any solution linked to the internet, it’s important to ensure that your SIP trunk has the right security systems in place. Most SIP trunking providers will be able to assist with giving you extra tools that will protect your SIP network and defend against fraud
  • Network options: It’s best to check whether your SIP Trunk provider runs their own network or offers a rebranded service. There are various providers that simply resell SIP trunking form another provider. For companies that want the best level of features and functionality, it’s often best to choose a company with control over the network
  • Reliability: Your SIP Trunk provider should be able to offer you a certain level of reliability when it comes to making and receiving high-quality calls. On top of that, you’ll also need to know that your SIP provider can offer the guidance you need when you’re looking for additional help with a potential problem
  • Flexibility: The best SIP Trunking providers can often give you the option to port all of the existing phone numbers you use today into your new environment. Not all providers will be able to manage this process for all regions, so consider this when making your choice
  • Competitive costs: As mentioned above, the costs of SIP trunking will depend on a number of factors, including the lines that you need. However, it’s worth looking to see whether you’re getting a competitive rate compared to the deals you can get from other providers
  • Features: Remember to ensure that your SIP Trunking provider can offer all the features you want. A good provider should be able to deliver things like VoIP features, data sovereignty, and other capabilities. You can consult with several vendors to see what each one can offer you before making your final choice

How Do You Switch to SIP Trunking?

SIP Trunking can be a powerful investment for companies looking to digitally transform their communications network and take business performance to the next level. However, before you rush into choosing a provider based on their flexibility, reliability, and cost, you need a good understanding of what you want from your SIP trunking landscape.

Start by auditing your current business communication network. Are you in a position where you need to move everything into the SIP environment very quickly? What are your business communication goals, and what do you hope to achieve by moving to SIP? Having goals in mind will make it easier to track whether your SIP strategy is generating success.

Think about the most important factors in your selection of a SIP trunking provider, such as pricing, and security. It’s also a good idea to choose a SIP trunking provider that has good reviews and testimonials from previous customers.

It may also be helpful to sit down as a team with other decision-makers to determine whether additional upgrades are necessary for things like your Internet Connectivity. Some companies choose to make an update to their internet line for the SIP trunk before transitioning. It’s definitely helpful to embed more security into your network at this point, and consider whether you have enough bandwidth to handle your VoIP requirements.

Upgrading your Business Experience

SIP trunking can give you the power to enhance your business experience. Once you’ve chosen a provider, you can choose a dedicated internet line for your SIP trunk. Since many firewalls can handle several WAN collections, and internet lines are often low-cost, a separate VoIP connection can be a great way to enhance the quality of your VoIP calls.

Some SIP trunk providers even bundle their service options with dedicated internet lines. This process can keep your voice traffic separated from data traffic. However, the outcome of your choices will depend largely on the cost of your upgrades and your network structure.

Remember, you can also upgrade your PBX to an IP PBX. Unlike PSTN lines which are often connected to hardware-based PBX solutions, an IP PBX can offer you an easy-to-manage and flexible solution. Why not upgrade your services to IP PBX and leverage the benefits of flexibility and modern refinements that only IP telephony can bring?

 



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