SIP enables SIP trunking, which is an essential part of any growing company’s VoIP system. A SIP trunk functions as a virtual telephone line and, like VoIP, uses packet switching to connect calls. While VoIP alone only supports voice, SIP trunking supports voice, video, messaging, and fax. Put simply, VoIP is a technology that allows you to make and receive phone calls over the Internet.
SIP, on the other hand, is a protocol that makes many VoIP calls easier. It enables fast and efficient communication between devices. Both SIP and VoIP allow you to transfer voice information to and from your computer or mobile device. VoIP providers, on the other hand — such as RingCentral and Nextiva — host the IP PBX and SBC in the cloud, so you’re not responsible for the on-premise hardware.
This means that VoIP users with cellular data can do business from their phone or laptop in a coffee shop, library, home, vacation, or car. VoIP users can make business phone calls from their business phone number anywhere they have Internet. Compared to a landline phone system that transmits an audio signal, SIP trunking is a security risk because it transmits audio over data packets that can be intercepted if you don’t use firewalls to protect your network. You need a world-class communication system to run your business. For this reason, many companies are looking for various technologies to make and receive phone calls.
SIP isn’t the only control protocol, there are several that do the same job, but you need a control protocol to initiate a VoIP call. For example, if the power in your building goes out or your Internet service provider suffers an outage, you won’t be able to make VoIP calls. Many VoIP providers — such as Vonage and OpenPhone — combine the VoIP service with other advanced phone system features, such as voicemail, routing, and queuing. Subscribing to a VoIP pricing plan, which integrates all phone system features into the software, makes access to a wide range of phone system features much easier and more affordable.
These virtual features, which are included in most VoIP pricing plans, include self-service IVR menus, call queues, call groups, skill-based routing, custom routing orders, voicemail transcription, and more. A VoIP phone system is easy to set up and maintain, especially if you opt for a hosted PBX VoIP service. If you use unhosted VoIP, you are responsible for all accommodation and maintenance of VoIP-related servers and hardware on your premises. The last point is that a softphone and a hard phone are actually the same when it comes to SIP and VoIP. A physical handset does exactly the same in its software in terms of VoIP packets and SIP signaling as a softphone on a computer, there is no difference at all.
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VoIP, you can make or answer calls from a computer, mobile device, or even a dedicated VoIP desk phone. Hosted VoIP can be less expensive than unhosted because you don’t need to buy, install, and maintain infrastructure, making it ideal for many small businesses. When switching your business phone system from landline to VoIP telephony, SIP trunking and VoIP are good options.