SIP FAQs

5 Frequently Asked Questions about SIP

09:00 14 August 2017

For those who haven’t tried SIP technology, it may sound like a mysterious concept. Many do not understand how the use of the Internet can allow anybody to make and receive calls. Others, on the other hand, are not convinced that it is a dependable form of communication.

 

If you’re one of them, below are the answers to frequently questions that will help you understand the technology better:

 

·       Do I need to be connected to my computer to use SIP? – There are two types of SIPservices – soft phone and hard phone. The former uses software installed on a smartphone or a computer (like Skype or Facebook) while the latter uses physical stand-alone devices or analog phones connected to a VoIP adapter.

 

·       Doe SIP technologies work if I’m using the Internet? – Users with a reliable broadband connection have the capacity or bandwidth to support Internet use with concurrent SIP use.

 

·       Can SIP access emergency services like 999 ? – Yes, but unlike when calling 999 from a landline, the emergency responders will not be able to accurately trace the call because the number being used is not assigned to a specific address so it is a requrement to register all SIP lines with a physical location to help the emergency services

 

·       Am I able to keep my number? – In some cases, this is possible. Ask your potential service provider if they can do this for you.

 

·       Can I block numbers? – Many SIP services have accesses to software to allow users to block specific number or types of calls.