VoIP, which otherwise stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, has been one of the newest and most affordable ways to provide your business with an effective and efficient phone line. VoIP service typically includes a hosted PBX, along with some other commonly available call management features of this telephone system. The basic features that most VoIP systems offer include auto attendant, call waiting, call forwarding, call return, call block, fax, and much more. There are other features that are available as well, depending on the VoIP provider.

One of the first things you need to decide is whether or not you’re going to go with a hosted VoIP solution

or go with the more traditional and basic offerings of a landline or cell phone. Many businesses are opting for the hosted solution because it is extremely inexpensive and can provide the same features and functionality of a more expensive VoIP provider. Hosted solutions are set up just like any other type of phone service. You have a specific phone number that is assigned to your account, and as such, all incoming and outgoing calls are handled via that number. This is often done through your ISP (Internet Service Provider). All you need is a broadband connection to get started.

If your business is considering switching over to a VoIP phone service but you currently have an Internet connection, then you may want to consider some of the additional features that are available through a SIP trunking provider. SIP trunks are used when your business utilizes a regular telephone network, but you do not want to change your IP service (such as your cabled phone line) just to accommodate the VoIP provider. SIP trunks can be placed at different locations throughout your organization and connected to your existing internet-based calls as well.

A SIP trunk is not something that you have to purchase or install, but it’s usually included as part of a monthly fee with your VoIP service plan. A SIP trunk allows your VoIP provider to place your phone numbers in different locations throughout your enterprise. You can still place local or toll-free calls in any location that is designated as a SIP trunk. In addition, your internet-based and regular phone calls can be placed through your SIP trunks at the same time, even if you’re not physically in that particular location.

SIP is very reliable because the data rates are very low during peak hours.

And since SIP can be integrated with other types of technologies, it provides the reliability of an IP phone company and the ease of use of a traditional phone system. This reliability and ease-of-use make SIP trunks a very attractive option for companies who don’t require the high volume of calls that come with an IP phone system.

Another advantage to using SIP is that the SIP trunks provide your company with increased bandwidth and extra capacity for your network. Traditional communications networks are already experiencing a growing number of communication transactions per day, which has created a need for additional bandwidth. But with SIP, you’ll never run out of capacity and won’t have to worry about high call costs. This is another reason why SIP is such a great option for businesses looking to reduce their communication costs.

In addition, SIP trunks allow you to establish extensions anywhere in the world where an IP-based phone system might otherwise be ineffective, like in locations that don’t support VoIP telephony. This is an especially useful feature for international enterprises that are located in different parts of the world. Using SIP allows your employees to talk to each other regardless of where they may be located. As well, SIP phones can make use of international toll free access lines, which means that you can lower your overall monthly phone costs.

• The final big difference between VoIP phone service and traditional analog voice-only connections is that VoIP utilizes the peer-to-peer (P2P) technology to route voice traffic.
• This means that instead of having to establish a connection through a dedicated server, your computer sends and receives information packets that are received by another computer.
• The packets of information are then converted into actual sound waves, making VoIP a very good option for voice-only communications.
• However, in order to take advantage of the full capabilities of VoIP technology, you’ll also need a robust internet network.