As the world goes IP, organizations are turning to SIP trunks as a way to connect their phone systems to the outside world. SIP, or Session Initiation Protocol, offers organizations a way to reduce costs while gaining both flexibility and new capabilities.
Organizations can leverage SIP trunks to cut recurring telecom costs. By using SIP trunks, businesses have fewer access lines and can reduce long-distance calling charges. With SIP trunks, voice and data can be delivered in a consolidated way through a single WAN connection, rather than traditional Primary Rate Interface (PRI) lines. With SIP trunks, customers can use their Internet bandwidth more efficiently, rather than running only voice or data over the access line.
Most SIP carriers offer customizable capacity plans for SIP trunking services, so organizations can buy only the bandwidth they need. Instead of having to pay for a T1 line with a full 24 channels, a customer could buy only five channels with a SIP trunking service. In addition, many SIP carriers offer self-service portals, so businesses can purchase services quickly without having to meet with sales reps or wait for a truck-roll – a major convenience when dealing with seasonal or unexpected business spikes.
If you’re a flower shop, you expect your call volume to go up around Valentine’s Day, with SIP trunking, you can dynamically allocate more trunks or connections without having to oversubscribe by purchasing a full T1 during those two or three weeks when you need it. With SIP, local phone numbers can be made available for remote users. Virtual phone numbers make it easier for companies to establish a seamless worldwide presence.
Organizations also find that SIP is a stepping-stone to broader adoption of collaboration services, which can increase productivity. Businesses can use SIP trunks for their voice needs today, and then use that same connection for video and collaboration services when they move to unified communications.
