What Is SIP Trunking?
A SIP trunk is the use of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) to set up communications over the Internet between a customer location and an Internet telephony service provider (ITSP), which transfers the SIP calls to the PSTN. Unlike in traditional telephony, where bundles of physical wires were once delivered from the service provider to a business, a SIP trunk is a logical connection from one point to another over the public Internet.
SIP Trunking Can Save You Money
SIP Trunking can save businesses a fair chunk of change. In an article by Brad Reed of Network world, Nemetes Research analyst Irwin Lazar estimates that companies with SIP trunks save 20% to 60% compared to old TDM trunks.
Benefits of SIP Trunking
- No More BRIs, PRIs, or PSTN Gateways: SIP trunking eliminates the need to purchase BRIs (Basic Rate Interfaces), PRIs (Primary Rate Interfaces), or local PSTN gateways, lowering telephony costs.
- No More Separate Voice and Data Connections: SIP trunking reduces costs by eliminating the need for separate voice and data connections, and expands the potential for communications convergence using both voice and data together.
- Turn All Calls Into Local Calls: The emergence of service providers offering SIP trunks to enterprises means that enterprises can outsource their PSTN connectivity to a third party. This reduces long-distance charges, as SIP calls travel over the Internet or the provider’s IP network to a termination point where the call is then transferred to the local PSTN.
- ENUM (Telephone Number Mapping): ENUM is used to automatically look up phone numbers to determine if they match a known SIP address, allowing the call to be completed over the Internet. Since no traffic is placed on the PSTN, ENUM provides additional cost savings for businesses that communicate with other organizations that use SIP for communications.
- Infrastructure and ROI: A relatively small investment is necessary to benefit from the use of SIP-based communications and to enjoy the cost savings that accrue from using a SIP trunking service provider. For the enterprise, converting to VoIP usually involves the purchase of an IP-PBX, IP phones, or soft clients (those which operate on typical PCs or laptops), as well as a SIP-aware firewall to maintain security while admitting VoIP traffic.
The Choice Is Yours
TeleConsult Solutions has been providing SMBs with telecom and IT solutions since 2000. We understand that in today’s business environment, many companies lack the time or resources to dedicate to telecom implementation. We offer free consultations, a wide range of cost effective solutions, and one dedicated point of contact — all to help you find the best services possible for your unique business. We’re there for you each step of the way, from price quotes to post-implementation, and provide ongoing support for any product or service you select.