SIP Trunks for Dummies

Everything You Need to Know About SIP Trunks for Business

So, you’re looking to swap your traditional business phone system out for an internet-based communications system. Maybe you’re looking to upgrade your system to a better solution or you’re making the swap over to VoIP in preparation for the PSTN switch off. We’re going to make the assumption that you’ve read a little bit about SIP trunks and it sounds like a solution that may fit your needs, but you need to find out how it actually works in order to make a decision. The trouble is that a lot of the information out there is written by experts – which is great because you know that the information is accurate, but if you’re not sure how this technology works, it can get easily become confusing. This article is also written by experts – we have over 20 years of experience within the communications industry. However, we’re going to be the experts that present the information in a way that is easy to understand. We’re going to make the jargon, technical terms and information straightforward, so you know exactly how SIP trunks work and how they can benefit your business.

Sound good?

Let’s get into it then!

What is a SIP Trunk?

In layman’s terms, a SIP trunk is a virtual link from your telephone system (also known as a PBX) that allows your telephone system to make phone calls via the internet. With traditional telephony (the kind that relies on the, soon-to-be obsolete PSTN – Public Switched Telephone Network) a trunk is the bundle of wires that is shared between users. With SIP these connections are virtual and the data is transferred via an internet connection, known as VoIP.

What does SIP mean?

SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol and it is a method used to make data and voice transfers via the internet. SIP trunking uses this protocol to enable a PBX (telephone system) to send and receive calls via the internet.

What does VoIP mean?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and is made possible through technology, such as SIP. Let’s make it clear that they are not one and the same. SIP is the method of connecting your existing telephone system to the internet; having the ability to communicate via VoIP (calls over the internet) is the result. Make sense?

Should You Consider SIP Trunks For Your Business?

If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to move to VoIP (internet-based) telephony and you have a compatible PBX then yes, you should definitely consider SIP trunks. How do you know if you have a compatible PBX? If your business is currently using an IP PBX then you can easily implement SIP trunking within your business. If you’re making the move from a fully analogue phone system that relies solely on physical phone lines, then you have a choice. You can either move over to an IP PBX that is on-premises (stored within your business premises) or a fully cloud-hosted phone system.

Read more: How Do Cloud-based Phone Systems Work?

What are the Benefits of Using SIP Trunks?

From future-proofing your communications to improved scalability, there are a wealth of benefits that your business can take advantage of when you switch to a SIP trunk solution. Let’s take a look at some of them.

1)     Cost-efficiency

One of the main issues within traditional telephony is its lack of flexibility. This means that businesses who are still using traditional business phone systems that rely on analogue telephone lines are likely paying for lines that they don’t use and, as their business grows, adding new lines to accommodate new users is a difficult, expensive task.

When it comes to billing, traditional phone services are subject to confusing charges for local, long distance and international calls. This can result in many unexpected charges that can quickly add up and create a headache for your finance team when the bill comes through at the end of the month.

SIP trunking is a scalable solution, as it relies on virtual connections. This means you can easily scale your solution up or down to meet the needs of your workforce and you only pay for the services that you use. Billing is simple, as SIP trunk solutions are, generally, billed on a per-user basis, so your finance isn’t shocked by surprise charges.

2)     Unified Communications

Implementing SIP moves your business into the realm of internet-based communications, which means that you could take advantage of unified communications solutions. When the time comes to choose a SIP provider, it’s a wise idea to find one that offers a range of communication channels, such as UCaaS platforms that bring together multi-channel communication, such as voice, video and instant messaging with productivity apps, such as Microsoft Office and file sharing.

Leveraging SIP trunks to utilise unified communications within your business provides a wide range of benefits including improved productivity and enhanced efficiency. Your team have all they need to collaborate and communicate with each other, all within one platform. Swapping between communication channels can be achieved with just a touch of a button, so your team spend less time jumping between applications and more time working together to get the job done faster.

3)     No Additional Physical Infrastructure

Unlike traditional telephony that relies on physical hardware and lines, SIP uses virtual connections. This means no lengthy wait periods for installation, which avoids costly downtime or disruption whilst your solution is being implemented. New phone lines can be added quickly and easily through connecting your handsets to a data connection.

SIP trunks allow your business to become more flexible, through allowing your team to work from home and still access your business phone system. Users who are working offsite can be integrated within your company network and can be reached via a dedicated internal phone number followed by a specific extension.

4)     Improved Reliability

Traditional telephony is susceptible to disruption caused by factors, such as bad weather and construction work affecting the physical lines that power the solution. As SIP trunks rely on an internet connection, they are far more resilient than their traditional counterparts. A large number of failover solutions can be implemented, which means if disruption does occur, call traffic can be directed down an alternative route, such as to another office site or to employee mobile devices, so your business can still communicate effectively.

However, one key factor that does need to be taken into consideration in order to ensure the reliability and call quality offered by your SIP trunk solution is your connectivity. If your SIP solution relies on connectivity that does not provide sufficient bandwidth to support it, this will reduce the quality of your calls and you may experience disruption and issues as a result. So, when you are considering SIP trunks for your business communications it’s important to check that your current connectivity solutions are up to the task of supporting SIP.

Working with a knowledgeable vendor is key to ensure that a SIP solution is right for your business and that you have the infrastructure that can effectively support it. An experienced communications provider will explore your existing solutions and will help you to discover the best options for your business needs, budget and goals.

5)    Future-proof Communications

The mass move to VoIP is largely due to the 2025 PSTN Switch-Off, where all analogue phone lines will become obsolete to make way for digital communications. This is an important transition that is going to make it easier for businesses to take advantage of future technologies. Making the swap to internet-based communications means that your business won’t fall victim to disruption when the PSTN is switched off and your business is ready for the future. When new communication technology emerges, your business will be able to integrate it within your internet-based solutions.

Read more: 5 Steps to Prepare for the PSTN Switch-Off

What Should You Look For in a SIP Trunk Provider?

When it comes to choosing any solution for your business, finding the right provider is vital. Here are some key factors to consider when finding a SIP provider for your business.

Experience

Significant experience in providing not only SIP solutions, but business communications technology, in general, is a fundamental feature of a great SIP provider. This is because integrating technology, such as SIP within a business involves a lot of different considerations from connectivity to support and maintenance. Not only will the provider be able to help you to find the best SIP solution available to your business, but they will also be able to assess the factors that could affect SIP implementation and help to resolve these issues, before they cause a problem with your SIP solution. You can also rely on your provider to take care of maintenance and support of your solution, so you don’t have to deal with the stress of managing the solution yourself.

Price

The price of SIP solutions will differ from provider to provider. Alongside the cost of the channels within your SIP trunk solution, which will be determined by how many simultaneous calls you make, there will be a few additional costs that will need to be considered. For example:

• Call tariffs
• Number porting
• Setup and installation costs
• Maintenance fees.

To avoid unexpected costs, it’s important to work with a reputable provider who is transparent about these costs before purchase. Good providers will sit down with you during the consultation process, to assess your needs and find a solution that meets those needs exactly, so you don’t end up out of pocket paying for features or bundles that you don’t need. This ensures that your solution is fit for purpose and cost-efficient.

Security

Another key feature that you should prioritise when you’re searching for a SIP provider is security. As calls will be made and received over the internet, cyber security should be considered carefully, so ensuring that your provider has stringent security policies in place is the first important step. Working with a provider who also offers security services and solutions is also a beneficial step, as they will possess specialist knowledge and top-class solutions to keep your business and your new digital solutions protected.

Move to VoIP Communications with SIP Trunks from Elite Group

Ready to swap your outdated business phone system to a more reliable, cost-effective and future-proof SIP trunk solution? We are communications specialists with over 20 years of industry experience and a team of specialists who are ready to work with you to identify your business’s unique communication needs and find a SIP trunk solution that meets those needs perfectly. Alongside our industry-leading communications solutions, we have a wide range of services and solutions covering IT, security, mobile, cloud and more, so we can ensure that you have everything you need to take your business to the next level.

Alongside our extensive product and service portfolio, experience and expertise, we are proud to hold prestigious partnerships and accreditations with the biggest brands and vendors in the industry. This means you can rely on us to find the best deals and provide in-depth knowledge and advice to help you make the best decision for your business.

When you work with Elite Group, you are in safe hands. From your initial consultation right through to implementation and beyond, we make transforming your business communications straightforward, so you spend less time understanding your solution and more time taking advantage of all the benefits it has to offer.

Speak to our specialists today via our contact page or call 0344 875 8880 for a no-obligation consultation.