What is SIP trunking? And what is VoIP? If you have never heard of either of these terms, they may sound complicated. But did you know that you probably use one or both of them every day? This article will explain just what the difference is and why they’re vital for your business.
Simply put, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking is used to start, control, and close multimedia communications in messaging applications. VoIP, (Voice over Internet Protocol,) on the other hand, is a term used to refer to any phone call made through an internet connection rather than a traditional landline.
The two are often used in tandem, with SIP trunking enhancing the VoIP application’s features and ease of use. A business can use VoIP applications on their own, but with added SIP trunking, they can incorporate a multitude of new features and can even be integrated with commonly used applications.
Although they are similar, SIP trunking and VoIP are not easily comparable as they both offer different functions. Just read on to learn more!
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
When you open a messaging application like Skype, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger to send a voice message over to a friend, you are making use of VoIP. That’s because you are sending a voice message over the internet rather than using a landline connection. With the growing importance of the internet in modern business, VoIP has become an increasingly popular communication method. However, as with any tool, it comes with its pros and cons.
VoIP Pros
- Installing a VoIP server is relatively cheap.
- VoIP server systems are small, easy to install, and portable.
- Ongoing costs are predictable and manageable.
VoIP Cons
- VoIP-only servers lack multimedia communications.
- Many VoIP-only services lack integration with frequently used messaging applications.
- VoIP requires internet bandwidth to function, and inadequate bandwidth can lead to low-quality calls.
Those cons may seem annoying, but VoIP can be made more convenient by pairing it with SIP trunking. But what is SIP trunking? Read on to learn more.
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) Trunking
While VoIP applications handle voice communications and only voice communications, SIP integrates the rest: Text, photos, videos, and other more helpful formats that many of us use on a daily basis. SIP trunks act as a digital version of the physical copper landlines used for telephone calls.
The trunk features multiple has SIP channels used to make individual phone calls. The number of usable channels on a trunk depends on the SIP service provider. VoIP can stand alone, but it is significantly improved when you pair it with SIP trunking. This, of course, also comes with its pros and cons.
SIP Trunking Pros
- Has user-friendly tools used to add valuable features.
- The pricing can be flexible depending on what the business wants and needs.
- Add-ons can be purchased or dropped, allowing companies to customize their SIP packages and avoid paying for features they will not use.
SIP Trunking Cons
- Available features and quality may differ depending on the service provider.
- Service functions need good bandwidth to provide favourable quality.
- If used with a public internet connection, the user’s data may be vulnerable to threats.
Basically, a business can use voIP to make stand-alone calls, but SIP trunking helps to manage and improve them. The pros heavily outweigh the cons when it comes to incorporating SIP services into your corporation’s communications.
Both SIP trunking and VoIP applications are crucial to most, if not all, modern businesses. Improved communication helps an organization’s employees communicate with each other and with valued customers, no matter where in the world you are. No one likes working with businesses that have poor communication skills, and customers are more likely to return if they feel that the corporation they are talking to is easy to connect with.
Any business utilizing VoIP but not SIP trunking should strongly consider integrating SIP services into their communications. With the help of Australia’s preferred SIP trunking provider, Aatrox Communications, your business can enjoy reliable communication with the world.
For more information about our available plans, please get in touch with us at 0383972990.
