Whether you’re a new business determining what kind of phone system you should select or you’re evaluating the possibility of updating the phone system at an existing company, the choices may boil down to either Primary Rate Interface (PRI) or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) delivered through Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking.
PRI is essentially a traditional telephone solution, delivered over physical copper lines that are installed in your building. SIP trunking is a hosted cloud service that runs your calls, in addition to a variety of other communications formats, over the internet. There are a few reasons why you may want to choose either PRI trunking or SIP trunking for your company:
PRI trunking: PRI trunking travels over a copper wire so it doesn’t rely on data bandwidth to host calls, and it tends to be high quality because it’s delivered on a dedicated line. On the other hand, PRI trunking can be expensive and cumbersome, with enterprises waiting weeks for new technology to be implemented. It also scales only in sets of 23 line units. PRI trunking is often a good option for companies that don’t have access to fiber-optic internet connectivity or enough bandwidth to support IP-hosted phones.
SIP trunking: SIP trunking uses a VoIP line to initiate and end calls, but it also supports a variety of other transmissions, including SMS messages, video conferencing, and data transmissions. For companies prioritizing unified communications, SIP trunking provides the right technology. Some of the benefits of SIP trunking include the ability to pay for only the users needed, which might lower costs by 30 to 40 percent when compared with PRI trunking and integration with other communications tools.
Enterprises choosing SIP trunking need to be sure they have the necessary bandwidth, as well as sufficient network security. In addition, the choice of a SIP trunking vendor should include consideration of a variety of factors, because quality levels and service levels can differ dramatically.
Choosing SIP trunking helps relieve maintenance of the phone system from the IT staff, and could significantly reduce the cost of telephone service. It also supports mobile staff and helps drive increases in revenue when used to support a unified communications strategy.
Copper State Communications is the only technology services provider to offer a full suite of solutions to Arizona’s SMBs and enterprises. Your phone system should provide seamless connectivity and ensured uptime, no matter how many devices are in use or how widely those devices are dispersed. Contact us to learn more about options for your phone system.
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