Keep On Trunking
IP Trunking or SIP Trunking?
Which one is right for your business communications?
What’s the difference between SIP Trunking and IP Trunking? And which one is right for your business?
For your business, communication is key. You may be considering IP Trunking or SIP Trunking. Sure, they’re only one letter away from each other, but that’s just the beginning of the differences between them. Let us break down the meanings, differences, pros and cons of each one for your business’s communication needs.
SO, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
The big question: what exactly are IP Trunking and SIP Trunking and how can your business use them?
IP TRUNKING: Like VoIP, IP Trunking is essentially voice transmissions delivered as data through data connections (you know, the Internet!), rather than through electrical-based signals as with traditional phone lines. Used in a corporate or industrial capacity, either on-site or with a cloud-based subscription service, IP Trunking uses one data connection to deliver the service to employees’ phones and computers. Easy, right?
SIP TRUNKING: While there are certainly similarities, SIP Trunking (which stands for Session Initiative Protocol) is used to transmit all sorts of multimedia communications, including voice and audio, files, images, and video using a data connection that connects to the Public Telephone Network.
So, we have IP Trunking just for voice data
and SIP Trunking for voice and more!
So far so good?
WHAT ARE THEY EACH USED FOR?
Businesses can use one or both services for their communications needs, but there are some key uses for each.
IP TRUNKING: This is preferred for small businesses wherein most people work on site or within a short distance. They can use it to simply communicate with each other by phone, at a low cost
SIP TRUNKING: On the other hand, SIP Trunking is beneficial for companies who have multiple sites and employees in many locations, far away from each other. They may need to connect for presentations, brainstorms and other touch points and want to use multimedia to create virtual meetings.
HOW CAN USERS ACCESS THE APPLICATIONS?
IP TRUNKING: Using IP Trunking requires the use of a handset connected to a computer in order to receive calls. Also, the computer must always be turned on for it to work.
SIP TRUNKING: SIP Trunking only requires a SIP handset and a modem to work. No need to be connected to a computer! Also, a SIP handset can also be used for IP Trunking.
HOW EASY ARE THEY TO SET UP?
So, this part is pretty important.
IP TRUNKING: Again, many small businesses choose IP Trunking because it is relatively easy to use and set up. This is ideal if your business isn’t particularly tech-savvy or you just want something that’s simple for employees to use.
SIP TRUNKING: Alternately, SIP Trunking is more complicated. That’s why it is more popular with larger companies that have a dedicated IT department or even a SIP Specialist on staff.
Business Phone Systems Explained: IP Trunking is ideal for small businesses and SIP Trunking is preferred for multiple locations.