SIP Trunking FAQs
We get the opportunity to talk to people about SIP trunking every day. Some of our customers are very experienced telecommunication technology professionals, but many are IT consultants without much telco background who want to offer a voice solution to clients to strengthen their relationships and add revenue. We’ve compiled a list of the questions we are most frequently asked about SIP trunking, especially by those who are just getting familiar with the technology.
What is SIP Trunking?
The acronym “SIP” stands for Session Initiation Protocol. SIP trunking is a method of delivering telephone and other unified communications services over the internet. It works with a SIP enabled on premise or hosted PBX (private branch exchange). SIP trunking replaces traditional telephone lines or PRIs (Primary Rate Interface). SIP defines the messages that are sent between endpoints and it governs establishment, termination and other essential elements of a call.
What are the benefits of SIP?
SIP trunking offers many benefits to users, but the biggest reason people choose SIP is to reduce telecommunications costs. Switching to SIP from legacy carrier contracts can save customers up to 60%. SIP typically eliminates most long distance charges for the US and much of Canada.
What is a SIP Channel?
Each SIP trunk can support a number of SIP channels. A SIP channel is much like a telephone line. It represents one concurrent incoming or outgoing phone call. Customers can buy exactly the number of SIP channels needed to support their business and grow on-demand. This is a stark contrast to PRI lines, which are sold in blocks of 23, causing many businesses to pay for more capacity than they actually need.
Is SIP the same thing as VoIP?
Although SIP and VoIP are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. The term VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. It is a broad term that covers any phone call made over the Internet. VoIP is typically deployed in conjunction with an application, such as Skype or Google Talk, with IP enabled PBX hardware or via a hosted VoIP service. The term encompasses a group of protocol technologies of which SIP is an example. In short, SIP is one of the specific protocols that enable VoIP.
How do SIP calls sound?
Good voice quality is essential for any business communication system. With the right configuration and a SIP vendor that uses Tier 1 carrier networks, SIP calls can be indistinguishable from calls made over traditional telephone lines. Factors that impact call quality include the amount of available internet bandwidth and the configuration of the router to enable QoS (Quality of Service), witch prioritizes voice activity over other data traffic.
Do my customers need a technical expert to take advantage of SIP?
No. SIPTrunks.com provides easy to understand set up instructions and a user friendly online control panel for day-to-day management. Our support representatives are also happy to walk you through configuration and get your customers up and running in no time.
These are some of the questions we hear most often. One we like to ask is – why not start offering a SIP solution to your clients today?