Are you looking for an efficient mean of communication, then SIP is probably one of the best technology has to offer? In this article, you will go through the knowledge of SIP and its use for business communications.
Breakdown: What is SIP Trunking?
Session Initiation Protocol or SIP is a service offered by communication service providers which establishes a connection between Virtual Phone Number (VoIP) and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Unlike in traditional telephony, where bundles of physical wires were once delivered from the service provider to a business, a SIP trunk allows a company to replace these traditional fixed Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) lines with PSTN connectivity via a SIP trunking service.
How Does SIP Trunking Work?
Basically, SIP provides VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) which works by transmitting the calls over the internet. In this way, it can provide numerous benefits to the person availing this service. This communication through the Internet is done by connecting the private branch exchange (PBX) to the Internet. The Internet actually replaces the telephone trunk allowing for communication by users with both fixed and mobile telephone subscribers throughout the world. SIP merges all voice, data and videos into a single line which combines your local, long distanced and broadband service into one line.
Advantages of Using SIP Trunking for Business
When it comes to business, SIP is a great option to choose because it provides a lot of exciting features.
Advantages over Traditional Phone:
Whereas before SIP you needed to carry voice, video, and data over one line by using a Primary Rate Interface (PRI), the SIP Trunking eradicates the necessity for gateways of Basic Rate Interfaces (BRI), Primary Rate Interfaces (PRIs) and PSTN.
The provisions of incoming, outgoing and Private Branch Exchange (PBX) are made by your VOIP business provider setting up a proxy server also known as a SIP proxy.
Your provider also does all technical support. This saves you both time and money since you will no longer need an IT team or an IT contractor.
SIP is Actually a Money Saver
SIP guarantees you a lower cost than most of the available communication services. SIP provides high-quality service with cheaper costs as it costs $20 to $30 per trunk, whereas analog circuits roughly cost $50 per circuit. Furthermore, SIP numbers that are toll-free are also available to you.
SIP Trunking providers may offer additional services, including:
- Encryption of voice calls to meet security needs
- Routing of calls to 911 services, with appropriate caller location information
- Failover to backup trunks and locations
- Ability to provision trunks via a web-based interface
- Interconnection with cellular networks so a call placed to a desktop phone also rings on a mobile phone
- Protection against toll fraud
- Denial-of-service (DoS) protection
- Virtual inbound phone numbers, including 800-number services
- Usage and performance reporting
- Ability to route calls to multiple locations based on call volume, the source of call or other policies
- Device Compatibility with SIP Trunking
You might already have several phones but are not aware of their compatibility with VoIP. The old phones can be made capable of synchronizing with VoIP if attached with an ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) provided by a VoIP service.
But, it is much better to have an IP phone also called a SIP phone.
SIP Phones for VoIP Service
The best phones you can use with VoIP are SIP phones. These are specifically designed to be used for VoIP, and they have features and functionalities that other conventional phones don’t. An IP phone includes the function of a simple phone plus those of a telephone adapter.
Tablets, iOS, Android and PC’s
Nearly all VoIP apps that you install on smartphones and tablet PCs have softphones integrated, with a dial pad to compose numbers. Android and iOS are the two platforms that have more VoIP apps, but there exists a sufficient amount of those apps on other platforms like BlackBerry and Windows Phone. For instance, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype, and many others have versions of their apps for each of these platforms.
