A SIP trunk is a virtual phone line that connects your phone system to the telephone network over the internet. It replaces the physical lines once installed in the building and lets you make and receive calls over data instead. SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol, the technology that sets up and ends the calls.
How a SIP trunk works
- The phone system connects to the operator over the internet instead of a physical line.
- Each trunk can handle several simultaneous calls, and you pay for the capacity you need.
- Capacity scales up or down without anyone laying new cable.
Why businesses choose a SIP trunk
- Lower cost than traditional fixed lines.
- Flexible capacity that follows the business.
- Works wherever your team sits.
A SIP trunk is often the step between legacy telephony and a fully cloud based solution. To jump straight to the cloud, a business switchboard gives the same flexibility. See also IP telephony for business.
FAQ
Do I need my own phone system to use a SIP trunk?
Yes, a SIP trunk connects an existing system to the network. If you have a cloud system the equivalent is already included.
How many calls can one trunk handle?
It depends on how many simultaneous channels you order. Capacity is adjustable.
Is the audio quality worse than fixed telephony?
No, with enough bandwidth the quality is at least as good.
What is the difference from a cloud switchboard?
A SIP trunk is the line itself, a cloud switchboard is the whole phone system.
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