How to Choose Between VoIP and VoIP With SIP Technology
Did you know that according to Upwork’s Future Workplace Report, 63% of companies have remote workers?
Combine that with the rise in international sales and you’ll see that there has never been a more important time to be connected.
Luckily, there are many ways in which you can implement strong communication skills across your business, such as VoIP and SIP technology.
Read on to discover whether VoIP or VoIP with SIP technology is best for your business.
SIP vs VoIP: What Are the Key Differences?
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) are technically not the same things.
Yes, they both refer to internet telephony. However, VoIP is a term which describes the type of phone call which is made over the internet. Whilst SIP is a communications protocol that enables VoIP calls between devices.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the transmission of voice using the Internet Protocol, instead of using a traditional phone line. Unlike a traditional telephone line, that uses the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), VoIP uses data connectivity to transmit voice packets.
Session Initial Protocol (SIP) is a protocol used to establish, modify and terminate multimedia sessions, such as conferences, in VoIP applications.
All SIP is used to support VoIP, however not all VoIP is backed with SIP technology. SIP is just one protocol businesses can use with their VoIP.
VoIP Protocols: Advantages and Disadvantages
There are many different Voice over IP providers that you can use for your business. They all offer different communication features and level of quality. But on a whole, these are the advantages of VoIP only services:
Advantages
An obvious advantage os VoIP-only is that setting up a VoIP service will come at a relatively low investment cost.
Combine this with the ongoing flat-rate monthly billing system that most providers offer and you have saved yourself money. Saving your business money is always a bonus!
VoIP systems are portable and don’t need to be installed on-site. So if you are moving offices soon, or are always on the go, then you can take it with you.
Useful VoIP features are often included with the basic plans. So you can make use of caller ID, call waiting and call forwarding features without having to pay extra.
Another advantage of VoIP-only is that most VoIP providers offer shorter-term contracts or no contracts, so you aren’t stuck with them if you don’t like what they offer.
Disadvantages
A disadvantage of VoIP-only providers is that it requires bandwidth for service availability and for sufficient call quality service.
Basic VoIP services don’t always offer mobile integration or mobile apps, making it less convenient if you are always on the go and need to use your mobile.
An obvious disadvantage of VoIP is that it doesn’t support multimedia communications, i.e. you can’t jump on a video conference call with your clients.
And finally, VoIP-only services cannot be integrated with applications such as Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and/or Dropbox.
VoIP With SIP Technology: Advantages and Disadvantages
SIP calling can enhance VoIP because it offers a multimedia communications experience. VoIP ensures that you have a whole range of communication options for your employees if you are a remote team, or for your clients and customers who might live internationally.
Advantages
Voice Over IP with SIP allows you to consolidate all your technologies, so you have unified communications across your business. This will help to save time and money.
Ensures you are always connected. If data connectivity is lost, most SIP providers offer a failover option that allows employees to use their mobile devices if your landline is down.
A key advantage of SIP trunking is that it provides the ultimate flexibility for your business. You can add new lines or features as and when you need them. If you don’t want as many lines you can remove them, which saves you money.
Some VoIP and SIP providers offer built-in integrations with business applications and software, so you can work smarter across all your platforms of communication.
Another advantage is that is you have a traditional PRI line, you might be able to integrate it with your VoIP and SIP system, which creates a hybrid phone system and increases your phone security.
Disadvantages
Similar to VoIP-only, VoIP with SIP technologies requires a sufficient internet bandwidth to support a quality service.
Every SIP provider offers different features and quality of services. Check out the best SIP providers of 2019 now.
Using SIP trunking over a public internet service, instead of a fiber-optic internet service, can lower your quality and it can also potentially be a security risk. It is advised to have fiber-optic internet to support VoIP and VoIP with SIP.
Which is Best For Your Business?
Every business is different, if you want to switch to an Internet-based phone system then you need to ask yourself these questions:
Is voice-only VoIP the right choice for you? Or do you want to make use of the multimedia features of VoIP with SIP technology?
Remember that SIP enhances the basic VoIP features. So if you want to improve your business communications by adding the ability for employees and customers to exchange messages, videos, and files over the internet then VoIP with SIP is the right choice for you.
Do your research and find out what different companies offer and for what price. Then select the company and phone system option that sounds best for your business.
Contact us now to find out how we can help you with your SIP trunking needs.