SIP Trunking

A SIP trunk is a direct connection between your organisation and an ITSP. It is a cost-effective solution to your communication needs.

10:43 25 June 2017

A SIP trunk is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). It enables you to expand VoIP telephony beyond your organisation’s firewall allowing you to carry real-time communication services. It is less expensive and easier to configure and is thus recognised as a cost-effective and better alternative to traditional phone systems. In addition to VoIP calls, SIP trunks can also carry multi-media conferences, instant messages, user presence information, E9-1-1, and other SIP-based communication services.

SIP trunking is a direct connection between an organisation and an Internet telephony service provider (ITSP). The technology extends VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephony and carries SIP-based, real-time communication services, including but not limited to instant messages, user presence information, multimedia conferences, and enhanced 999 emergency calls. 

In many ways, a SIP trunk is similar to its circuit-switched predecessor mainly because it is a connection between telecommunications systems. What sets it apart is the fact that the connection it describes is a virtual connection, which can be made over a dedicated line that carries other IP traffic or over the Internet on a virtual private network (VPN).

 

Due to the simplicity of its configuration, it is easier and less expensive to design, operate, maintain and upgrade. Thus, it offers organisations substantial savings as well as return of investment. Aside from cost-savings, its other benefits include:

 

·       Eliminate IP-PSTN gateways and associated attendant cost and complexity. Some ITSPs even offer to host a PBX for users, taking over both the PBX hardware and user administration, if needed.

 

·       Eliminate redundant network – With SIP trunking, organisations eliminate the need for redundant telephone and data networks.

 

·       Eliminate BRI (Basic Rate Interface) and PRI (Primary Rate Interface) subscription fees

 

·       Extend the capabilities of Office Communications Server with new services from ITSPs

 

·       Low-cost long distance service

 

·       Eliminates IP-PSTN gateways along with their attendant cost and complexity

 

·       Eliminates a redundant network

 

·       Eliminates BRI and PRI subscription fees

 

·       Extends the capabilities of Office Communications Service with new services from ITSPs

 

SIP Trunking is deployed through a mediation server that works by encrypting, decrypting, and translating data between an Office Communications Server on one side and the world beyond on the other. Each Mediation Server has two interfaces – internal and external interface. The latter is commonly called the gateway interface that is connected to the SIP trunk.