What Is SIP Protocol? – Innovative VoIP Using SIP
If you are in the market for a new telephone system for your business, you may be overwhelmed by all of the acronyms you encounter. For example, what is SIP protocol? In this post, we will try to remove some of the confusion by explaining, in layman’s terms, what SIP protocol is, how it works, and what its benefits are for your business.
Network Telecom offers a wide variety of communications products and services including those which use SIP. Are you interested in switching your currently outdated telephone system to a more advanced and versatile one? You can contact the experts at Network Telecom today and find out how SIP can save your business valuable time and money.
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What Is SIP Protocol? Read on to find out
What Is SIP Protocol?
SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol. It is used with VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), which means it is found in a telephone system that uses the Internet instead of regular phone lines. SIP’s job is to actually set up each call, connect it, and then disconnect it when it is finished. So it “initiates your session” or call, which is why it is called “Session Initiation Protocol”. For a more detailed and easy to understand explanation on how SIP works, read our blog titled SIP Telecom Telephone Lines.
What is SIP protocol? It is a mediator between the person making the call and the person receiving the call
How Does SIP Work?
SIP works as a mediator between the person making the call and the person receiving the call. It lets the two parties know when the call has been initiated and when it has been terminated. It is text-based, which means that when the voice or video message is converted to data (a series of ones and zeroes) the data is packaged up, sent on its way and then deciphered at the receiving end. This takes place almost instantaneously.
The role of SIP in all of this is to figure out the location of each party, send the information to the receiver along with instructions on how to decipher the code, and signal when the call is terminated. This will trigger a sound or a dial tone which the person on the other end can hear. For a more in-depth look at SIP, click here.
What Telephone Systems Use SIP Protocol?
SIP is found in VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) telecommunications systems. These VoIP phones are often connected to an IP phone system using a local access network or are directly connected to the internet and have a wide range of options and functions. SIP and VoIP work together to make for an incredibly cost effective communications method, particularly for long distance communication. Their combination also allows for collaboration with other applications, such as email, web browsing, instant messaging, social-networking applications and more. At Network Telecom, we offer a number of VoIP based products and services.
VoIP phones are often connected to an IP phone system using a local access network or are directly connected to the internet
The Benefits of SIP Trunking
Cost Savings: According to Cordial, consolidating traditional lines onto SIP Trunks that cost less than a traditional line, usually companies see cost savings of 30-40%. All calls, whether they are voice or video, long distance or local, are free between SIP users. The savings can be substantial, especially if your business does a large volume of international and long distance calling. In addition, since SIP is software and not hardware, your initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs are much lower than using the more expensive traditional TDM lines.
Business Continuity: Because your telephone system is now going over your WAN you can increase redundancy through redundant connections.
Simplified Architecture: Simply connect the SIP trunk to your PBX and your PBX to your WAN
Video Enhancement: SIP enables video calls both internally and externally
Hardware Cost: handsets for VOIP/SIP systems range in price depending on their features, but an entire fleet of hardware can be purchased for a much lower price than traditional phone line equipment with equal features.
Turn Long Distance Calls Into Local Calls: According to Sip.US, with SIP trunking you can send your calls over the WAN between offices, making long distance calls between offices, local calls. In addition if you can make other calls that would be a local call from the second office a local call from the first office by having your phone system place your call from the second office.
What is SIP protocol: it enables you and your employees to communicate wherever you are using your mobile devices
Portability: an internet phone system does not rely on a phone line, and as such is highly portable. Phone system can be transferred to different buildings, or even different countries, and so long as a stable internet connection is present, the system can be seamlessly moved.
Hardware Requirements: an entire fleet of VOIP/SIP phones need only access to the internet via a quality network. Multiple phone lines or multiple internet connections are not necessary for a large fleet of devices
Scalability: It is very easy to expand the number of handsets and calls your system can handle, because SIP trunks are virtual rather than physical, by adding more bandwidth and SIP channels (if required)
Calling Rates: the largest area of cost savings of VOIP/SIP communications is the calling rates. Rates are as low as a tenth the cost of a traditional phone line, and calls can be made internationally with little to no extra cost.
Call Features: because VOIP/SIP are based on IP technology and a company’s computer network, call features can be added and improved over the life of a system. If a new feature comes out next year, many system can be updated to gain access to the new feature with little effort. SIP enables you and your employees to communicate wherever you are using your mobile devices, computers, tablets, phones, etc. With VoIP and SIP, you are able to place or receive a call and listen to your voicemail right on your computer or mobile device. It also offers all of the features a landline would, with the added bonus of video conferencing.
Quick Install: if your business already has a good quality computer network in place, then the most time consuming part of a SIP/VOIP install is already completed. With a network in place, many phone systems are as simple to implement as a quick installation of software, and simply plugging in a phone.
Greater Employee Efficiency & Productivity: SIP and VoIP communication means that your employees will enjoy easier access to the information they need as soon as they need it. They can also be in constant communication with the office if they are offsite, which translates into less downtime. It even makes working from home feasible.
To read about more benefits go to http://www.tmcnet.com/channels/sip-trunking/articles/4446-five-ways-sip-trunking-benefit-business.htm
What is SIP protocol: Learn about its many benefits in this helpful video
SIP/VOIP vs Traditional Phone Lines – Which is better?
SIP protocol (also known as SIP trunking), VOIP technology and traditional telephone systems are all methods that businesses can use to provide telephony communications to their employees. SIP Trunking has many benefits over traditional telephone lines. SIP trunking represents the latest innovations and technology in business communication technology, and the system holds several distinct advantages over VOIP and traditional phone line technology.
SIP and VOIP communication solutions utilize the internet via a company’s computer network. VOIP communications have been around for a long time, whereas SIP networks have just started to become the new business standard. Both SIP and VOIP networks have the following advantages over a traditional phone lines:
SIP: Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a telecommunication protocol that is used for signaling and controlling multimedia communication sessions. These sessions can include audio, video, instant messages and data. Click here to learn more.
VOIP: Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is a group of technologies that are used for the delivery of voice communication sessions over the internet. Click here to learn more.
Learn more about sip trunking
Why Switch To VoIP Using SIP?
The simple answer and probably the most persuasive is money. The fact is that your business can save a lot of money by using a VoIP system for its communications. If you are currently using traditional phone lines for your phone system then you can enjoy a substantial reduction in your monthly bills. Unlike the phone line, the SIP protocol and VOIP system use the internet, so instead of paying per minute, you pay your monthly Internet service fee, which is usually a flat rate and most plans provide you with unlimited usage.
In addition, SIP and VoIP together allow for you to use applications like email, social media applications, instant messaging, mobile devices etc, in combination with each other, which will enable your employees to be more productive and efficient. At Network Telecom, we offer a number of VoIP-based products and services. If you’re having trouble deciding if SIP and VoIP are the right solution for you, contact us today and one of our professional sales staff will go through the benefits and advantages of VoIP and other phone systems with you.
For further reading:
Here is a great resource on SIP trunking best practices as well: SIP Trunking Best Practices Download
Sources
Why Use SIP for IP Communications? What Session Initiation Protocol Can Mean For Your Business.
What Matters Most In A SIP Trunk Provider
What Is SIP and How Does It Work?
SIP Telecom Telephone Lines
Trust Network Telecom for All Your Telecommunication Needs
If you are looking to update your phone system, contact Network Telecom. Network Telecom has been in operation since 1979. Our decades of experience working with all aspects of business telecommunication technology throughout all of the innovations and changes of the information age have allowed us to become the best possible solution for your business telecom needs. Our goal is to provide purchase support and technical service that is unmatched.
In addition, if your phone system is not working as it should, our trained technicians are available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We carry a huge selection of parts in order to quickly solve any components issue you are experiencing. If you are having a telecommunication or networking issue, we can resolve it quickly and professionally.
In addition to our accredited and certified technical expertise, we offer:
- Consultative Sales
- Cloud Services
- Ongoing Support
- Voice Mail Systems
- System Design + Consulting
- System Admin + User Training
- PA Systems
- VoIP Specialist
- Network Cabling
Network Telecom operates in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph region. Contact us today for all of your telecommunication questions and concerns; we’d be happy to help you.