Phone systems are vital for the operation of most businesses. But with numerous options on the market for voice communications, finding the right one to meet your business’s needs can be challenging. A popular alternative to traditional phone systems is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), but an even stronger option for many businesses is SIP. Below is a short guide to what it is and how it can benefit you.    

What Is SIP Trunking?

Short for Session Initiation Protocol, SIP can be used to make a VoIP call. It creates, modifies, and ends telephone sessions, both video and voice, using the IP network or internet. Since a trunk is a telecom term that refers to a group of phone lines, SIP trunking is a method that utilizes an IP-enabled private branch exchange (PBX). Think of a SIP trunk as the digital version of an on-site PBX, a legacy telephone system that allows switching of calls and sharing of multiple lines.

SIP trunking aims to replace the conventional public shared telephone network (PSTN) that runs on analog lines by breaking down voice calls and other media into data packets sent over an internet connection. Because of the similarity, some people easily confuse SIP with VoIP. VoIP as a phone system includes technologies under modern telecommunication, and SIP falls under it only as a signaling protocol.

How Will It Benefit Your Business?

If you’re a business owner, switching to SIP trunking from the traditional PSTN offers many benefits that make it worth using.

• Reduced Costs: Cost savings are among the primary reasons companies go with SIP trunking, as it does away with excessive charges for local, long-distance, and international calls. Since SIP providers often offer service plans tailored to your needs, their pricing is relatively predictable and easy to understand.

• Centralized Network: IP-based communications, like SIP trunking, only require a broadband connection to work, so there’s no need to have a separate network for voice calls. With a consolidated network infrastructure, you no longer have to worry about extra costs that come with separate phone lines.

• Unmatched Flexibility: SIP trunking offers easy scalability, which means you can increase or decrease the number of channels in the phone system depending on your current needs. Installation and upgrades are simple as compared to traditional services.

• Increased Mobility: Another upside to SIP trunking is the mobility it affords, allowing users to make and receive calls through their mobile devices.

• Improved Reliability: SIP trunking providers offer services to address issues like power outages, downed Internet connection, and system failures by rerouting calls to mobile devices or transferring to different working data centers.

Learn how SIP trunking in your phone system can benefit your business by consulting the experts at ACC Telecom. Located in Columbia, MD, they’ve offered a range of quality solutions to clients, including telecommunications equipment, phone services, and business phone systems. Get in touch at (410) 995-0101 or visit their website for more information.