SIP Trunking Definition & How to Choose a SIP Trunking Provider

SIP trunking is a type of communication technology that is used to run phone systems over an internet connection as opposed to through conventional phone lines. “SIP” is short for Session Initiation Protocol – this protocol allows calls from your phone system to be made using the internet. “Trunking” can be thought of as similar to the trunk of a tree. In communication terms, the “trunk” is a central line that carries many data or voice signals out to many users – each of these users can be thought of as “branches”.

A SIP trunk can provide many benefits over just using a traditional “PBX” or “Private Branch Exchange” telephone system. SIP trunks use virtual infrastructure to replace several physical phone system elements.

What is SIP trunking designed to do?

A SIP trunk uses Voice over Internet Protocol to connect your PBX network to the Public Switched Telephone Network or “PSTN”. By moving communications off of traditional copper phone lines and onto a broadband connection, a SIP trunking service can give you the ability to make changes to your phone system in a virtual setting without the need to replace physical hardware. For instance, a SIP trunking service might help you to increase or decrease the number of phone lines in your office quickly and easily just by making virtual, software-based changes. This can be of significant financial and logistical value as you scale and grow your business.

What is the difference between PRI trunking and SIP?

PRI trunking stands for “Primary Rate Interface” – it’s an older technology that uses physical copper phone lines to send voice and data. Each PRI circuit can handle up to 23 calls at a time, requiring an additional PRI circuit to expand this capacity to 46 calls, and so on. Because of its limited bandwidth and reliance on bundled analog phone lines, PRI can be expensive and cumbersome to maintain.

SIP trunking uses a single broadband connection to replace PRI while simultaneously providing a variety of services that go above and beyond PRI’s capabilities. With SIP, as long as you have adequate internet bandwidth, you can add more phone lines without the need to make physical additions to your network.

The benefits of SIP trunking

What is SIP trunking able to do that traditional phone lines can’t? Let’s go over some of its benefits.

1. Affordability: Traditional phone lines often require costly maintenance, come with a bundled pricing plan, and charge high rates for international and long-distance phone calls. SIP trunk providers can perform system maintenance virtually, offer per-user pricing, and charge lower rates for long-distance or international calling.
2. Virtual and Flexible Communication Choices: SIP allows employees to control how and when they can be reached. Depending on your schedule, you may want to route business calls to your personal cell phone or to a coworker – SIP gives you a simple way to redirect those calls. Additionally, SIP can integrate voice calls with texts and video chat, meaning all of your work communications can be funneled through the same simple channel instead of staying siloed.
3. Compatible with growth: Because SIP is built primarily on virtual infrastructure, you can easily increase call volume without having to invest in costly and time-consuming physical phone lines. Many SIP providers can increase your number of phone lines on demand. SIP also allows for the integration of multiple offices onto the same network – leading to a more streamlined experience in the case of mergers or business expansion.
4. Enhanced Reliability: Copper phone lines can suffer outages as a result of bad weather, damage to telephone poles, or other forms of failure. A SIP trunking service is reliable and flexible – if necessary, calls can be re-routed to a different office or set of phone lines.
5. Analytics Tracking: Digital phone lines built on SIP infrastructure can allow for easier data capture, giving you the ability to track and optimize business performance. SIP trunk providers may be able to help you track metrics such as call length and frequency, the number of missed calls, and the quality of call audio.

How to choose a SIP trunking provider

When looking at SIP trunking providers, ask yourself: What is SIP trunking going to help my business do better? How do my priorities match up with what each of these SIP trunk providers offer?

Frontier’s SIP trunk services are designed to deliver a wide range of benefits to a broad spectrum of customers. Here’s a closer look at some of the ways that we can help.

SIP trunking service with Frontier

Our unique SIP trunking service benefits include:

1. Clear and Secure Communication: Frontier SIP is delivered via an Ethernet Virtual Private Line, ensuring a high degree of call reliability, quality and security. We can provide clear, crisp and stable call connections. Modern Infrastructure Built for the Future: Our network is 100% fiber optic – it’s designed to deliver all the speed required for modern communication, while also being well-positioned to handle increasing demands over time. You can rest assured that we will be able to satisfy your call volume needs for years to come.
2. Competitive Pricing: SIP migration can come with significant cost-per-call and infrastructure savings. Our SIP trunk pricing allows you to choose from a number of different customized packages in order to find the best fit for your business.
3. Migration Management and On-going Tech Support: We provide design, implementation, and lifecycle management during your migration to SIP. This includes 24/7/365 technical support for any issues that may arise. Plus, you can schedule system maintenance and upgrades for the time that works best for you.
4. Number Porting: Our technology can port over your existing phone numbers – allowing for call continuity and a smooth transition from your previous call system. Flexible Options: Our SIP services can be integrated with your existing PBX phone equipment. So – what is SIP trunking? It might just be the next step forward in the evolution of your business.

Ready to learn more? Get Frontier SIP and give your business next-level voice networking today!

About Frontier

Our telecommunication services are designed to meet your organization’s needs to help ensure that operations run smoothly and efficiently. Our ever-growing fiber optic network spans 25 states – it’s built to power the businesses of today and the businesses of the future. Contact us today to talk to a technical expert about what we can do for you.