What is SIP Calling? SIP Calling Explained

What is SIP Calling? SIP Calling Explained

What is SIP calling?

To understand what SIP Calling means, it is first important to know what SIP is. Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a protocol to initiate an IP communication session using IP devices on an IP network. 

In simple words, SIP is a signaling protocol used to set up or establish an IP communication session.

Think of it like a rule book, which tells the signal about :

• locating a party;

• encoding and decoding media using the appropriate codec;

• defining how to construct, send, and receive signaling packets; and

• setting up and managing the call over the network.

This process of transmitting voice calls over a SIP channel or trunk is known as SIP calling. It is frequently confused with VoIP calls, but SIP calling uses VoIP to transmit your analog call traffic over the internet.

Basically, a SIP call employs a protocol to allow VOIP calls to connect one device to another. With a SIP network in place, you can receive and make high-quality calls on multiple devices over the internet. A physical connection to a phone company with several phone lines is no longer required, thanks to SIP.

How do SIP calls function?

With SIP calling you can connect your company’s phone lines directly to the rest of the world without using a middleman. In addition, it makes use of the enormous capacity of your current internet connection, whether it is a home Wi-fi or business broadband connection. One of its main advantages is that it enables you to directly upgrade your current system without having to start from scratch and connect to older, hard-wired systems. 

SIP calling is done with dedicated devices such as SIP phones. Let us understand how the SIP phone works.

Understanding the SIP phone system

To connect with the PSTN network (Public Switched Telephone Network), SIP phone systems need IP desk phones and handsets with internet connections. A SIP phone is necessary for SIP calling, but some phones can be plugged directly into a modem without the need for a computer. On the other hand, Voice over IP calling needs the VoIP phone to be linked to a running computer with an internet connection. Since SIP is the protocol that establishes and terminates connections, it is used in VoIP calling.

This means you can connect directly to your old number and implement an upgrade to your existing system without having to start from scratch. Its major advantage is that it enables a direct connection, eliminating the need for PRI lines (Primary Rate Interface) connecting PBX (Private Branch Exchange) to PSTN.

SIP calling vs. Wi-Fi calling

One may argue that SIP calling is similar to Wi-Fi calling. However, that is far from the truth. Let us take a look:

Advantages of SIP calling

• Cost-effective

Installing SIP calling is a cost-effective option when looking at its ROI. How so? Well, first of all, you do not have to build the entire network from scratch. Using SIP technology, you can simply keep placing and receiving calls after connecting your old numbers.

Further, the online control panel's user-friendly interface will allow you to manage everything from your account. Everything will be in your control because you will be in charge of new and old phone numbers, redirecting, extensions, and so on. All the key functionalities of a SIP trunk will be contained in a single device, making staff training considerably simpler and faster.

• Easily scalable

Everything that involves SIP trunking takes place online, including phone conversations and video conferences. As a result, you are not required to purchase more physical lines just because you require more phone numbers or simultaneous calls.

More lines can be added with the assistance of your SIP provider, though you can frequently do it yourself. 

• Seamless transition

With the use of SIP trunking, you can convert your current phone system to an internet-based arrangement without throwing out your old equipment. Therefore, even if your staff is too accustomed to their current phone system, you may still benefit from lower operating expenses and telephony enhancements without disrupting their business.

• Easily manageable

SIP gives you the ability to establish and manage several pathways of redundancy, which frees you from being dependent on a physical copper line, unlike PRI-based voice solutions. Your SIP network can always be up, thanks to SIP Trunking, which enables you to construct several virtual pathways. Additionally, it can save you a tonne of time with little administration.

• More trustworthy

Since SIP calls operate over the internet, you do not have to worry about the quality of calls. All you need to make sure of is that you have a well-functioning internet network. 

SIP calling technology has the ability to expand the frequency range and raise the sample rate, which improves the audio and even enables HD quality. As a result, you will not have any trouble understanding what the other person is saying, which is essential while dealing with clients or business partners.

Endnote

SIP calling is an affordable and cost-effective method to cut costs without lowering the quality of the services that you provide. Transitioning to this system can undoubtedly have a positive impact on your business. There is no question that SIP phone and video technologies are here to stay. Thus, it is best to begin porting as soon as possible.