SIP (or Session Initiation Protocol) Trunking is phone service that is delivered through the internet. SIP Trunks are provided by ITSP (Internet Telephony Service Providers) rather than by traditional phone companies. Why are more and more businesses switching to SIP? One of the biggest reasons is the cost savings. Companies can easily save as much as 40-50% off of their monthly business phone bills. SIP also comes with great features such as flexibility and scalability. When compared with traditional systems, SIP Trunking easily allows you to scale up or down as needed. To implement SIP Trunking, you should have the following:
A Solid Internet Connection
You will definitely need a solid internet connection to implement SIP Trunking. However, the type that you need will depend on the amount of traffic you want to pass through. It will also vary according to the service providers in your area. The three main options are T1, DSL, or cable internet.
A T1 is a digital circuit with 1.5 megabits per second. This isn’t the fastest option, but it is a dedicated connection and will guarantee you that speed all of the time, unlike DSL or cable. It also has the same upload and download speeds.
A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is oftentimes provided by your local phone company. Speeds can vary, but they’re typically between 3 to 20 megabits per second. Your upload speed will not be the same as the download speed.
Cable internet is typically much faster than the other options. They often reach 100 megabits. Cable is oftentimes the best service for the price.
A Business Phone System Capable of Using SIP Trunks
You will also need a Business Phone System capable of using SIP Trunks. If you have an older system, you may be able to use a SIP-to-analog gateway. This is a good way to keep your current system, therefore saving money on an upgrade. However, going this route will cost you a lot of the flexibility you can gain with SIP. The ideal way to use SIP Trunking is to get a phone system that can integrate directly with the SIP Trunks. This way, you can take full advantage of their benefits.
A Reliable ITSP
It is important to select a reliable ITSP, because they will essentially become your phone company. If you don’t take care when selecting your provider, you may experience frustrations when you need help with something. Also, service quality does differ between providers. Make sure you do your research before picking someone.
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.