An In Depth Guide To Understand SIP Trunking

Instead of using a conventional phone line, SIP trunking is a way of running phone systems over the internet. Companies and people can place and receive calls from several different customers or handsets using SIP trunking but running over the same internet connection. With no need to install additional phone lines.

SIP Trunking Explained

SIP Trunking explained as Session Initiation Protocol. It is a protocol which governs how a phone can make a connection over the internet. This allows a VoIP telecoms system to make calls on the traditional analogue phone network. It also allows you to answer traditional phone calls using your VoIP system.

VoIP

VoIP stands for Voice Over IP and refers to voice communications that use internet technologies. Skype, Microsoft Teams and Gamma Horizon are all examples of VoIP. Traditionally these VoIP systems can only call each other but with an SIP trunk they can also call normal phone lines too.

SIP Channels

Many are confused about the difference between SIP trunks and channels with some using the terms interchangeably. In reality an SIP channel is just one part of an SIP trunk. The channel is a digital phone line, allowing you to make a single call at a time.

Just having one channel would give you no extra benefit over a phone line, so SIP trunks often include multiple SIP channels. This allows businesses to make multiple incoming and outgoing calls at any one time.

More channels (or even more trunks) can be added at a later date if needed. This is far easier than digging up the road to put in a new phone line and makes them a great choice for businesses which are still scaling up.

SIP Trunk Providers

SIP Trunks are normally provided by business telecoms provider. This may be a standalone service but is normally part of business telecoms package which could also include VoIP services, broadband, WiFi, phone lines among other services.

Although installing an SIP trunk is within the capabilities of anyone with a bit of coding knowledge there are other benefits to contacting a third-party business telecoms provider. They will help to determine how many trunks or channels your business requires, they will also install them professionally, making sure the whole process is documented and done in accordance with data privacy regulations.

A third-party provider will also have dedicated support staff (who are normally available 24/7) who will be there to assist you if you have any problems with your business telecoms network. They can assist remotely via their helpdesk or if needed can dispatch a engineer to site to deal with any hardware issues.

After installation you will have access to an SIP customer portal which will let you manage and configure your SIP trunks from a single web-based interface.

In Conclusion

If you want to bridge the gap between your VoIP systems and the rest of the telecoms world, SIP trunks are the best option. Contact a local business telecoms provider today.