Quick Guide to Business SIP Trunks
SIP trunks and the business VoIP technology is gradually replacing traditional telephone lines which reply on the old and outdated copper line network. Apart from significant savings on line rental and call costs, SIP trunks deliver unparalleled level of functionality and flexibility. With the rollout of the NBN and other broadband infrastructure, your business can now take advantage of this powerful technology.
Not All VoIP Technology Is Equal
The majority of standard VoIP technology, mainly used for residential and personal use, is only able to carry voice traffic. It’s not as robust as business VoIP and usually has lower SLAs (Service Level Agreements) backing the service. Business VoIP uses SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) which is a specific protocol to send voice, data and video messages, delivering all functions and not just voice. It is also backed by more stringent SLAs, perfectly suited for business communications.
SIP Trunks Are the New Age Business Phone Lines
Business VoIP uses SIP trunks to make and receive calls. They’re essentially VoIP phone lines that can handle one or more phone calls at a time. The number of calls is dependent on how many channels are attached to a SIP trunk. A SIP trunk can have as many channels as required.
Adequate Broadband Connection
A suitable broadband connection is required for SIP trunks to function correctly. There must be enough bandwidth available to ensure a phone call is delivered at its optimum quality. An allowance of 80kpbs in both upload and download bandwidth should be allocated to every phone call.
Network and LAN Requirements
There are two ways of making sure your business is getting the most out of a business VoIP system. Activating QoS (Quality of Service) function on the network router is recommended when sharing the broadband connection with general internet usage. When activated, it will prioritise voice traffic to ensure there is no interference and the calls are crystal clear. Most modern business routers come with that functionality.
An alternative way, and one favored by larger businesses, is to dedicate a set amount of bandwidth to voice traffic and the SIP trunks. This can either be done by partitioning off a portion of an existing broadband service, or installing a dedicated connection for voice traffic only.
Requires an IP Enabled Device
SIP trunks come with a user name and password that must be programmed into an IP enabled device. These range from PBX systems and IP Phones, to Soft-Phone Applications and Mobile Apps. The device is then connected to a broadband internet service to enable voice/video communication.
Common Deployment of SIP Trunks
Together with superior functionality, one of the biggest advantages of SIP trunks is their flexibility. They can be deployed in a number of ways:
- Traditional PBX Systems with IP Capability
- IP-PBX Systems
- IP Desk and Conference Phones
- Soft-Phone Application on a PC or a Laptop
- Mobile App
More Reliable Than Traditional Telephone Lines
SIP trunks provide a higher level of service provision than traditional phone lines, and that includes ISDN services which are mainly delivered using the copper network. BusinessCo SIP trunks use the state of the art BroadSoft BroadWorks platform that delivers enterprise grade service quality with SLAs of 99.999% uptime.
Not Restricted to a Geographical Area
For a SIP trunk to be able to receive a phone call it must be allocated a landline number or a DID (Direct In-Dial Number). The area prefix of the number is allocated according to the primary location of where it’s going to be used. However, once activated, the device which is using the number can be relocated or used outside the prefix area, making it completely portable and not restricted to the area prefix.
Fully Portable and Easily Scalable
SIP trunks use an existing broadband connection to make and receive calls. There are no physical phone lines to install or connect to. An IP device using the SIP trunk can be easily relocated and will work the same as long as its connected to an adequate internet service. Additional call lines or channels can be provisioned almost instantly and there is no need for a technician visit.
Complete Redundancy
SIP trunks are the ideal solution to support all types of disaster recovery strategies. In case of power failures or other similar events, alternative routing is automatically activated. Any calls are redirected to a pre-programmed answering point such as a mobile phone or another landline number.
To find out more about business VoIP and how SIP trunks can transform your office communications, please contact one of our Business Consultants on 1300 000 300 or CLICK HERE to make an online enquiry.
