SKY Supports SIP Trunking

Having already witnessed the successful introduction of ISDN and the deployment of PBX’s to support its services, we are again faced with another new technology, delivering even more benefits (including cost savings) to its users. That technology is SIP.


WHAT IS SIP?

SIP (Session Initiated Protocol) is the protocol used by networks to IP-enable their largely SS7 environments (SS7 is a set of telephony signaling protocols which are used to set up most of the world's public switched telephone network telephone calls). SIP plays a central role in the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a family of protocols to define the architecture of next-generation networks capable of streaming various kinds of text, voice and video data to phone subscribers.

A SIP Trunk may be explained as a call routed over a carrier using IP technology. SIP Trunks are used in conjunction with an IP-PBX and are thought of as replacements for traditional PRI or analog circuits.
SIP trunks enable a business to leverage the full use of their advanced IP-PBXs by communicating over IP both within and outside the enterprise. In short, a business can make all required calls from their PBX (inter-office, local fixed, mobile and International) using a SIP trunk.

Unlike traditional telephony, where bundles of physical wires were once required from the operator to a business, a SIP trunk with capacity exceeding 100 lines, is provided over a single connection (wired or wireless).


SIP Trunks versus ISDN-PRI?

SIP Trunks realize their primary benefit over PRIs from cost savings and scalability. SIP trunks typically cost €5 /month per trunk and may be purchased in quantities to exactly match the business requirements. Unlike an ISDN circuit of 15 or 30 channels, SIP trunks may be increased or decreased by single trunks as required. There is also no need for additional equipment such as local PSTN gateways, costly ISDN BRIs (Basic Rate Interfaces) or PRIs (Primary Rate Interfaces).

Traditional TDM trunking is provided via very expensive ISDN PRI connections (approx. €250.00 / month) with a maximum bit rate of only 2Mbps, and 30 voice channels). Given the bandwidth limitations of TDM trunk connections, few businesses would use an E1 link for anything other than their voice communications making this E1 connection an additional expenditure required just for voice.


What equipment is required to use SIP Trunking?

SIP Trunks can work with a SIP-ready PBX such as 3CX, CISCO, AVAYA, ASTERISK etc. Should a business wish to retain their existing Analog PBX, SIP Trunks can also be made to work with traditional systems by installing a simple ATA (analogue telephone adaptor), ISDN BASIC or ISDN PRIMARY gateways.

The SIP based IP PBX market is poised for significant growth as businesses upgrade to IP based servers for communications. Significant pent up demand will be converted to sales as systems are put on the market that permit implementation of SIP. IP based systems purchases have been postponed for many years now, in anticipation of technology that works and integrates well into the business. SIP technology is here now and it works.


How can my business start using SIP?

SKY Telecom is a next generation telecoms operator servicing the business community with latest technology IP solutions for Voice and Data. SKY focuses it’s solutions around SIP technology and the hardware required for businesses to take full advantage of these new and advanced cost saving technologies. Whether it’s SIP trunk implementation, PBX upgrade and buy back options or high speed VPNs, SKY Telecom has the most advanced solutions for today’s business.

Robert Runza
Sky Telecom.

7th Oct, 2009