In today’s world, where there’s a rapid technological boom, businesses are now shifting towards more efficient methods of communication that are more resilient to any sort of disruption. One such technology is the use of SIP trunking to make communication similar to that of traditional phone calls. This blog provides a detailed guide to SIP trunking, including what is SIP trunking and how its usage can help reshape a business communication network.
Introduction to SIP Trunking
There are a number of ways that you can define SIP Trunking. A basic SIP Trunking definition would be that it is a digital method of communicating over the internet, including making and receiving calls. But, to understand its essence, one should first address the question, “What is SIP?” SIP is a signaling protocol used to start, maintain, and end communication sessions involving voice, video, and messaging apps. SIP Trunking in networking is the practice of laying down a plethora of circuits or lines for transmitting voice or data. In the context of SIP Trunking in networking, instead of using physical lines, ‘virtual lines’ or ‘trunks’ are established over the internet, making it both efficient and scalable.
Another related term that comes up with SIP Trunking is SIP calling. SIP calling is the use of SIP trunking to make voice calls similar to those on traditional phone lines.
SIP Trunking vs. VoIP:
In recent times, it has become increasingly necessary for a business to increase its efficiency by shifting to communication methods over the Internet rather than continuing to use the traditional telephone system. So, when shifting to a communication system over the internet, the first point of concern is using VoIP or SIP Trunking as your network of communication.
There are several elements that overlap between VoIP and SIP; however, each phone system has its own unique characteristics. While certain elements are benefits of SIP, others may be missing from SIP trunking.
| VoIP | SIP Trunking |
| Enables calling over the cloud | Supports sending and receiving voice, messaging, video, and fax. |
| Centralized system | Decentralized system |
| No connection to PSTN | Enables connection to PSTN |
| Enables calling over cloud | Requires PSTN to communicate |
| Cannot interact with other protocols | Can interact with other protocols |
| Limits options of scalability | Scaleable |
| Cannot integrate with different software | Seamless Integration |
| Must be connected to a computer to work | Can perform individually without a computer |
Which one is right for your business?
Differentiating between SIP Trunking vs. VoIP is not the right terminology to use when looking for answers pertaining to what to choose for your business. In fact, SIP requires VoIP technology to function; VoIP is just an umbrella term for all internet-based phone services. However, there can be certain situations that may act as catalysts for you to use SIP or VoIP.
For businesses with an existing phone system or those who want more control over their calls, SIP Trunking is a good choice. It is often used by big companies with many calls or those with special call needs. With SIP Trunking, businesses can easily adjust how many lines they have based on how many calls they get. It’s also good for companies that want clear calls and have specific setups, like central offices.
On the other hand, smaller businesses that don’t need a complicated phone system might prefer VoIP. Many VoIP services use the internet, so it’s easy to change and doesn’t need much equipment to start. VoIP is great for companies with workers in different places because it works wherever there’s internet access. It’s also good for businesses using online tools and services. In short, VoIP is a good choice for businesses looking for an easy and affordable phone solution.
How SIP Trunking Works
In a traditional phone line system, physical trunk lines are used to connect the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and the business’ Private Branch Exchange (PBX). A PBX is a private phone network that allows the business’s phones to be connected to each other and to callers outside the organization. A PBX allows you to route inbound and outbound calls and also enables you to forward or block calls.
In SIP trunking, the provider uses the business’s existing PBX hardware and connects that PBX to the cloud rather than the PSTN. This is accomplished by digitizing a caller’s voice and transmitting communications over an IP network—typically the Internet.
In order to connect a business’ IP PBX to the PSTN, SIP Trunking usually utilizes SBC (Session Border Control). It functions at the end of the Local Area Network (LAN) and connects it to the PSTN while determining when to start or end communication sessions. An IP PBX system can only transmit data over a virtual network, like a company’s wide area network (WAN) or the internet, to make VoIP calls. They are combined by a SIP trunk, enabling internet users to place calls over the PSTN or the internet.
Benefits of SIP Trunking
If a company decides to give up traditional phone lines and switch to internet-based communication channels, SIP trunking can offer a number of advantages.
- Cost Effective: Opting for a cloud-based communication system helps cut down on the costs involved in setting up physical phone lines. With the use of physical phone lines, you incur not only the cost of maintenance but also the variable costs that are incurred when calling long-distance or international numbers.
- Scalability: The cloud-based system of SIP Trunking enables you to scale your phone network, which is impossible in a traditional phone line system. This will also enable the user to gain more control over the pricing of the solution that they prefer since communication takes place over the internet, which means that more hardware would not be required to increase calls.
- Integration: SIP Trunking enables its users to integrate cloud-based applications such as UCaaS (Unified-Communications-as-a-Service).
- Analytics: With the use of SIP trunking, users will be able to track call analytics and make informed decisions based on the data that they are getting. Moreover, SIP Trunking also enables its users to access call recordings, which will be beneficial for a business looking to analyze the calls that are received.
- Reliability: SIP Trunking enables you to have reliability when it comes to communication for your business. Traditional phone lines may fail due to natural disasters or power outages; however, SIP trunking allows users to reroute calls to other networks or even mobile phones.
SIP Trunking presents an array of benefits for businesses transitioning from traditional phone systems. The benefits of SIP Trunking make it an ideal choice for firms seeking reliable and versatile communication solutions.
Requirements for SIP Trunking
It is without a doubt that choosing SIP trunking for your business communication needs is the most relevant decision, considering the benefits of SIP and how it reshapes the communication network for a business. However, while choosing the SIP trunking method, one should keep in mind the following requirements that are required to successfully implement SIP in your business.
- IP-PBX Compatibility: Before establishing a SIP network, one has to make sure that the existing IP-PBX system is compatible with SIP. There may be instances where the newer ones require a gateway to make them compatible.
- High-Speed Internet: It is important for a business to have access to high-speed Internet. Since SIP trunking solely relies on the internet, it is important to maintain a high-speed bandwidth for the call quality to remain the highest.
- VoIP Compatible Devices: It is essential for businesses to convert their existing devices to phones that are compatible with VoIP and support cloud communication. Usually, traditional phone-line devices don’t offer support for VoIP.
How to Choose a SIP Trunking Provider
- Network Service Provider: It is essential to choose a network service provider that owns the network system that they sell. For instance, Tier 1 sellers are those that sell their own networks to customers. While Tier 2 and Tier 3 sellers buy networks from other sellers and sell them to their customers. This leads to a chain of problems if a customer comes across an issue.
- Real-time analytics: It is important that before making a purchase, you take note that the SIP provider is offering you services that include full data related to your product and make sure it is real-time data to help in better decision-making.
- Compatibility: Numerous vendors offer services that can be altered to meet the demands of your current company. Before choosing a SIP provider, be sure to understand how much customization is possible for your service.
Setting Up SIP Trunking
Once you have a provider, setting up SIP Trunking becomes the next step. First, look at your business’s current setup. This helps you figure out how many SIP trunks you’ll need, especially if you have many calls happening at once. Next, you’ll connect your main phone system, known as the IP-PBX, to the SIP trunk. This might mean changing some software or adding some hardware. After that, you’ll connect your network to your provider. This can be done through the internet, MPLS, or specific lines. Then, set up your QoS settings so that voice calls get priority and sound clear. Lastly, test everything out. Make some calls inside and outside the company to check the call quality and make sure backup systems work right.
Troubleshooting SIP Trunking Issues
There are several issues that may arise when using SIP Trunking. Following are some of the problems that you may encounter and how to solve them:
- Configuration Issues: To troubleshoot configuration issues, first configure a packet capture between two SBCs. After this, you can analyze the communication and keep an eye out for SIP response codes. Secondly, you can try to ensure that your firewalls and servers are not blocking any of the traffic.
- Issues in Voice Quality: Many of the customers may experience hearing choppy voices from the person on the line. This may be due to a lack of internet bandwidth or weak signals. This can be solved using the Quality of Service setting in the router, which prefers voice traffic in comparison to data.
- Low concurrent calls: This may be due to a low number of channels for your SIP trunk. To increase it, you’ll need to increase your number of channels so that you can receive more calls at the same time. For instance, if you want to receive 35 calls at the same time, you’ll need 35 channels.
SIP Trunking by Kloud 7: A Reliable Voice Partner for Your Dynamic Business Landscape
The dynamic business world is constantly changing as demand and technology improve. With these changes, your business infrastructure must adapt and evolve. The question is: are you equipped to navigate these shifts efficiently? That’s why Kloud 7 is your ultimate voice solution partner.
We understand the diverse needs of businesses, from budding startups to expansive enterprises. Whether you operate on an on-premise PBX system or still rely on traditional analog lines, Kloud 7 offers scalable voice solutions encompassing high-capacity SIP, PRI, and Analog trunking services. With us, you’ll always be in sync with the technological pulse of the business world.
Benefits of Kloud 7 SIP Trunking:
Cost-Effective Communication: Bid farewell to heavy hardware and hello to financial savings! You can use the internet for your voice needs with Kloud 7 SIP trunking.
Redundant Servers: At Kloud 7, we prioritize your uninterrupted communication. Our robust infrastructure boasts redundant servers spread across redundant zones and regions, ensuring a self-healing network.
Flexibility with Unlimited Lines: Engage in seamless communication with up to 2000 concurrent calls and extension dialing. With our pay-per-line model, you only pay for what you truly use.
But you may wonder, How does sip trunking work in collaboration with your existing setup? Simply put, it amplifies the efficiency of your current PBX system.
Seamless Integration with Your PBX System
You’ve invested time and resources into your current phone system. Kloud 7 respects that. Our solutions are designed to work hand-in-hand with your existing PBX, eliminating the need for an overhaul. And if you’re looking to elevate your voice infrastructure, we’re right by your side. Our dedicated team provides on-site installation and services, ensuring a smooth transition.
Conclusion
In today’s fast-changing tech world, businesses need better ways to talk and share. SIP Trunking is a smart choice. It’s like an upgraded version of old phone lines but works on the internet, making calls clearer and more reliable. With this guide, we learned what SIP Trunking is, how it compares to other options like VoIP, and how to set it up. Choosing the right service, like Kloud 7, makes it even better. It’s clear: for modern, efficient, and cost-saving communication, SIP Trunking is the way to go.
