SIP Trunking And How It Benefits Businesses

The meaning of SIP Trunking is Session Initiation Protocol. It is a type of service which enables businesses that have installed PBX to use real-time communication VoIP included. When this trunk is connected to a traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) system, a company is able to communicate over internet protocol to the outside world. The company can also replace its fixed PSTN lines with the IP telephone system connected through this trunking service externally. This creates single conduits for multimedia components such as data, video and voice.

This trunk is made up of 3 primary components. These components include IP PBX which communicates with all the endpoints over the IP network. It is able to switch calls between the VoIP users of local lines and at the same time allow the callers to share several external telephone lines. It can also switch calls between the traditional phone users and VoIP users.

The other component is Internet telephony service provider (ITSP). The role of this component is to enable connection to PSTN for the IP network for fixed and mobile communication devices. IP communication is also transported across a public internet or private IP network.

Then there is the border element which enables connectivity between the PSTN, external IP-carrier network and the enterprise IP network. This element could be a switch for transferring calls out of and into the PSTN. It could also be an SIP-enabled firewall or even an enabling edge device that is connected to a firewall. The service provider usually manages this element.

This trunking works by blending both voice and data connections into a single line. It serves as a converter between the company's internet connection and a legacy telephone system. This enables the data network to effectively carry the voice traffic. Its features normally include E911, long and local distance calling, caller ID and directory listing. All these are then integrated into the existing telephone system of the company.

The benefits of using this trunking system are numerous. Since a large portion of calls made travel over the IP network, there are no additional costs. The service provider normally charges a fraction of what it would cost if there was no IP connection. As a result, this system delivers not only increased reliability but also delivers huge cost savings to the company.

Another benefit is that the need to invest in less capable and costly desktop equipment and TDM-gateway infrastructure is eliminated. Monthly expenses are also reduced because only a single connection for voice and data is needed. It also allows businesses to outsource the PSTN connection to third parties thus reducing the cost of long-distance charges.

Today, there are various reliable SIP trunking service providers available in the market. They offer various options to their customers at varying costs. A company requires to purchase products and services such as IP phones, IP PBX, friendly firewalls and soft clients among other requirements. However, when this service is deployed properly, it can bring a good return on investments within a few months.

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