SIP Trunking: A Guide to Streamlining Communication

Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) trunking is a type of Voice over IP (VoIP) service that a business may activate through an Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP). Businesses may save on telephone services with SIP trunking because this service can enable a PBX (private branch exchange) to work not only within the business but also outside the business network with the use of VoIP and an Internet connection. With SIP trunking, businesses can send and receive calls via the Internet both within the company and outside.

While SIP trunking is a service, it is also a global protocol. SIP trunks are available through SIP vendors and cost less when used over an MPLS network. Not only can a business save money with SIP over MPLS, but that business will also benefit from robust functionality. And, with SIP over MPLS, businesses still have the functionality provided by plain old telephone systems (POTS).

These services may work independently of one another or together. When these two services work together, SIP acts as the call signaling protocol for any time of media packets, while VoIP is limited to transferring only voice data packets over the internet. Businesses benefit from improved voice quality, security, and robust features like video transfer when a SIP service is used over an MPLS network. 

However, MPLS has evolved to become a vital technology for large Internet Protocol (IP) networks. MPLS enables rapid data switching through labeled packets for all network protocols. These labels provide routing information to quickly identify the destination of the packet. MPLS provides tunneling of any protocol, which is why it is called “Multi-Protocol”. MPLS is the standard for most network service providers (NSP) and results in an increased speed of network traffic in addition to providing differentiated services based on traffic type and/or service level agreements (SLA).

When the Internet was created, it was not designed to handle VoIP, as VoIP was nonexistent at the time. While the Internet has the ability to handle VoIP, VoIP used with SIP over MPLS networks provides more significant benefits and is quickly becoming the new-age communication solution. SIP over an MPLS network can handle VoIP, and this new-age communication solution can be an asset for cloud computing services. As VoIP continues to replace ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) telephony services, we will likely see more businesses opting to use VoIP with SIP trunking versus VoIP with the Internet.

SIP trunking has many benefits that continue to attract businesses to switch over. 

Lower Setup Costs

SIP trunking can be utilized in any business with a reliable IP network connection and be integrated with the existing telephony system. this ensures that the initial investment of SIP trunking is lower without upgrading the existing communication infrastructure. Multiple SIP trunking lines can be implemented for a fraction of the cost of upgrading your telephony system to maximize the savings of SIP trunking.

Backup Connection

In case of a power outage, SIP trunking backs up your telephony system over an internet connection for business continuity. This can prevent communication lapses due to power outages and ensure backup communication in an emergency. 

The Ability for Businesses to Grow Internationally

SIP trunking enables businesses to expand their operations internationally without the previous costs of setting up an international communication network. You can make all calls using an IP network with SIP trunking to grow your business beyond geographical borders and scale up your business with extended international operations. Employees can work remotely more efficiently using a telephony system with SIP trunking. 

Increased Employee Productivity

SIP trunking enables businesses to upgrade their internal communication to provide employees with a more feasible way to communicate. With the ability to share multimedia files and easily reach other team members, SIP trunking has transformed the changing landscape of business communication. 

A data-driven approach to monitoring communication can enable IT administrators to upgrade and downgrade networks based on demand. 

End-to-End Unified Communication

SIP trunking is one of the initial steps to unifying all communication mediums for your business. Unified communications systems provide businesses with an omnichannel presence with inbuilt product integrations to unify all systems. 

Remote Workforce

You can depend on a remote workforce when you use SIP trunking. Employees can report to work from wherever they live and can manage their time much better with the reliability of a SIP trunking network. While there may be concerns about employees needing to be more productive at home, you can use performance management systems to gauge employee performance and provide them with the necessary tools to improve their services with SIP trunking. Here’s a handy guide on how employees can reduce the chaos at home when working from home. 

Security and Fraud Prevention

Modern SIP trunking providers offer the top of line cybersecurity support to ensure secure communication. With dedicated communication channels, thanks to SIP trunking, all communication can be monitored for unusual activity and protected from potential cybersecurity threats. If someone gains access to your data network, they can be caught quickly and mitigated with SIP trunking. 

Multifactor authentication and role-based access to communication data provide an extra layer of protection to secure your data. This ensures that only authorized personnel has access to communication reports. Hence, going with a SIP trunking provider with an excellent security policy is crucial.

With more businesses moving towards streamlining business communication, it is crucial to assess the objectives of your company's communication strategy. Consult with our list of the top people who should be involved in deciding on a telephony system for your business. Then, compare the best phone systems with SIP trunking to make selecting the best provider easier for your deciding party.