A SIP Number can help your business in a few different ways. However, what exactly is a SIP Number? First of all, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is a signaling protocol that is used to initiate, connect, and terminate communications between two (or more) different parties. SIP works with the Internet to provide communications during a call. You can also use SIP for video.
SIP is often confused with VoIP, but the two are different. With SIP, you use VoIP via the Internet to deliver analog signaling. SIP is very different from Traditional Business Phone Systems, however. A traditional system usually has a PBX (Private Branch Exchange) and a PRI (Primary Rate Interface). A PBX provides call management, voicemail, an auto attendant, etc. A PRI is what connects a traditional system to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).
With SIP Trunking, you can use your SIP Number to connect to an IP-enabled PBX which in turn connects to your data network rather than PRI lines. In other words, voice traffic travels through the Internet to get to the PSTN. Here is how this can help your business:
Cost Effective
By using SIP Numbers, you can do away with your PRI lines. Compared to SIP, PRI lines are very expensive. For one, PRI lines have to come with 23 channels. On the other hand, you can purchase SIP Trunks in increments of one. Therefore, you only have to purchase what you need at that moment. You can also scale easily as your demand changes.
Reliability
Traditional phone lines are notoriously unreliable. For example, the weather and power outages can take your traditional lines down for days at a time. SIP Numbers, alternatively, use the Internet and can keep backups available, even if the Internet service goes down.
Features
SIP Trunking offers a variety of features. For example, with SIP you can enjoy toll-free numbers, caller ID, advanced voicemail options, e911, and more. These features can help make your employees more efficient and productive.
If you have any questions regarding SIP Trunking, please contact Intuity today at (800) 811-1086. Please feel free to also follow us on Twitter.