Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a control or signaling protocol for establishing and managing voice, video, instant messaging and other multimedia sessions between one or more participants over an IP network. It is widely thought of as “the” standard for voice over IP (VoIP) calling. In traditional telephony, the phone company delivers services over a bundle of wires - a trunk - that connects the company's PBX to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). With SIP trunking, the physical wires in the trunk are replaced with a converged voice and data network (i.e. Internet). Utilizing SIP trunks can help your business reduce costs, improve productivity and increase sales.
SIP Trunking reduces the recurring costs of separate voice and data circuits
At most companies, bandwidth utilization can be fairly low on both telephone (TDM) and Internet lines. With voice, traffic is fairly consistent with higher or lower levels between certain windows of time. On the other hand, Internet data traffic is erratic with bursts of traffic throughout the day. Combining the two types of traffic on the same connection - with QoS (quality of service) that prioritize voice - results in better utilization of bandwidth and lower costs.
SIP Trunking eliminates over-subscription of voice channels
SIP trunks can be purchased one channel at a time whereas PRIs must be purchased in increments of 23 voice channels (T1) or 30 channels (E1). If you buy PRIs when your business only needs ten channels, you end up paying for extra bandwith. With SIP trunks you can buy just what is needed and achieve significant cost savings.
SIP Trunking allows addition of new users at a much lower cost
When the capacities of a PRI and PSTN gateway are reached, it is necessary to invest in an additional PRI and PSTN gateway. Even if you only need one more line, adding another T1 or E1 means you must add 23 or 30 additional lines, respectively. This, in turn, requires more hardware. If you move from T1 / E1 to a higher level standard bundle, like STM-1, chances are that all your hardware will have to be replaced. With a SIP trunk, you can add one line at a time making growth less costly than the alternatives.
SIP Trunking reduces hardware costs
With SIP trunking, voice traffic is routed over an Internet connection to a VoIP service provider like DOW Networks. Since no local connection to the PSTN is required at the customer's site, there is no need for BRI or PRI gateways at your site. The gateways to the PSTN reside at DOW Networks. In turn, this eliminates the need for ongoing maintenance and support costs associated with that equipment.
SIP Trunking helps improve productivity
Your business can minimize travel time and improve worker satisfaction when you use SIP trunks. Satellite offices and remote workers can use VoIP, IM and other real-time communications to meet, interact, share ideas and collaborate with each other and with customers.
SIP Trunking reduces toll charges for local, long distance and international calls
Companies that use SIP trunks minimize costly PSTN charges. For example, an outbound international call is converted to an IP call (or originates as one) before it leaves the office. It travels over the service provider's IP network (i.e. VoIP) then drops onto the PSTN at the termination point. Because most of the call traveled VoIP rather than the PSTN, the cost of the call will be a fraction of what it would have been had it traveled over the PSTN the entire way.
SIP Trunks support multiple forms of communication
SIP integrates with other Internet services, such as e-mail, Web, voice mail, instant messaging, multiparty conferencing and multimedia collaboration. You can set up individual voice or conference calls, videoconferences and point-to-point video-enabled calls, Web collaboration and chat sessions, or instant messaging sessions between a variety of SIP enabled endpoints such as IP phones, PCs, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and cell phones. You can use components such as IP phones, soft phones, and collaborative applications from multiple vendors, and select the combinations of price and features that best suit your business’ needs and budget.
In conclusion, SIP trunking delivers a wide range of business benefits, including lower costs, better communications and increased ROI. SIP trunking can help free your business to do what it does best - business.
