SIP trunk (also called SIP trunking) is very popular around the world these days mostly because of the savings it offers. Thanks to lower line rental fees and affordable dial rates, SIP trunk users can save up to 70% on phone calls on average. Because of such reasons, this technology is now one of the fastest growing communication solutions for businesses, overlapping other VoIP technologies.

Because of the reduced telecommunication costs, SIP trunking is being used by many businesses around the world. Sadly, not all business owners realize the importance of SIP trunking and the incredible saving opportunities it presents. Those that are aware, are skeptical because they do not fully understand it.

How it Works?

The overall concept of SIP trunking is quite easy to understand. It allows cheaper call rates without compromising the quality of calls because of the IP network of service providers and servers. In a traditional phone line, calls are routed via Primary Rate Interface or PRI which is a communication protocol along with the Public Switched Telephone Network or PSTN. Call rates become significantly higher each time these two protocols and the network carrier is used. In SIP trunking on the other hand, IP network is used instead of PRI, along with a private server. As a result, a small amount of PSTN is used so call charges are significantly lower.

What are the Requirements?

How SIP trunking works is not the primary concern. Most business owners have trouble adapting to SIP trunking because they don’t know about its requirements. They don’t know how to start using it. Usually, all IP PBX systems can use a SIP line, however the older model headsets may not support it so you would need a hardware upgrade. Some models only require a SIP card to be inserted in order to run the required firmware and applications so that this newer technology is fully supported.

Keep in mind that SIP cards are a temporary solution and are not fail proof. Older headsets cannot accommodate such upgrade. That’s why it is recommended that you buy IP phones rather than modifying your existing/older handsets. A wide range of IP phones are available on the market at affordable prices. Regardless of the brand and model, all these phones support SIP protocol and are also equipped with latest firmware and audio codec so call quality will not be an issue.

In addition to getting the compatible handsets, there is another important requirement for using SIP trunking: internet. An internet connection with sufficient bandwidth is recommended if you want to prevent any delay or jitters in your calls. Generally, service providers advise consumers to acquire a business plan with their ISPs, particularly if the connection is to be shared with the computer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SIP trunking is very beneficial for businesses nowadays. You can also enjoy this effective business communication solution at a low cost. You will only need to fulfil the requirements mentioned in this article.