SIP trunking provides the ultimate platform for your employees to communicate with one another and with clients and vendors.
It is an affordable and reliable means that allows organizations to get rid of their archaic landline phones and enjoy the benefits of using modern technology.
If you’re considering using SIP trunking in your business, there are a number of key features to look out for to ensure that you choose the right solution for your company.
In our guide below, we will delve into all the features that make up an immaculate SIP trunking solution.
Top 7 Features To Look For In A SIP Trunking Solution
1. Reliability
When tendering out for a suitable solution, one of the most important checklist items is testing reliability. This can be done by checking for packet loss and jittering on calls sent to and from the network at different times of the day.
If a call fails, you’ll want to know if it was your fault or the vendors. Jitter is often caused by intermittent congestion in the network (the opposite of stable performance).
Heavy packet loss usually indicates something is wrong with either your end or theirs.
If you’re trying out a SIP trunking solution and notice that calls frequently don’t make it through, then it’s likely due to poor reliability on their part rather than yours.
It could be as simple as them not having enough capacity during peak hours. If there aren’t any interfering devices between yourself and them, then there might be an issue with their setup.
A good baseline score here would be anything above 95% while operating normally; anything below 85% might indicate problems ahead when traffic starts picking up again after off-peak business hours.
2. Coverage
Another important core feature to look for in a SIP trunking solution is coverage. Your provider must have global coverage if your aim is to use calls and SMS services internationally.
It’s worth noting that some providers offer limited international capabilities while others are all-inclusive. For example: if your target market happens to be Canada, you’ll want a provider with Canadian coverage.
3. Simple Pricing Plans
A simple pricing structure is another critical aspect to consider. This means that you have a comprehensive understanding of all the costs involved so that there are no nasty surprises in additional fees or costs.
In order to avoid this, request a full breakdown of all the costs involved (from setup, installation, monthly recurring, and any potential support fees).
4. Flexibility With Scalability
Flexibility is a key factor when looking for SIP trunking solutions. The ability to scale up and down as needed is essential for any business that may find itself growing or shrinking over time.
Adding or removing users without disrupting operations is another important consideration. With the right solution in place, adding new staff members will be easy and cost-effective, saving money on hardware upgrades and installation fees.
5. Expertise
Prior to signing up, ensure to test the full extent of the supplier’s knowledge base. This should include all the details about the technology and complex ecosystem behind SIP trunking.
This entails all the aspects that may affect the installation process, troubleshooting, and general scaling methods.
6. Interoperability
It would be best to look for a SIP trunking solution that supports interoperability. Interoperability refers to the ability of your VoIP provider to work with all the other players in your communications ecosystem, including endpoints, networks, and countries.
In particular, you’ll want your provider to support multiple protocols (such as SIP), various devices (such as desktop phones), multiple networks (like 4G LTE), and multiple countries (which could be important if you have offices abroad).
7. Voice Quality
Voice quality is a crucial element of any SIP trunking solution, and it’s a feature that you should be sure to test before committing.
You can do this in numerous ways, including using a call simulator or using your own employees to make calls with the system in place.
It’s important to remember that the network and hardware don’t only impact voice quality; the software also plays an essential role. If the software doesn’t work properly with your hardware, or it isn’t compatible with your phone system, it may significantly impact call quality.
VoIP Capabilities
Your SIP trunking solution should include superior VOIP capabilities, including but not limited to:
Video Calls
An efficient system should be able to make video calls with the touch of a button without having to install any additional software on your computer.
Voice Mail
A strong SIP trunking solution will allow you to forward voice mail to another mailbox or personal email address.
Call Conferencing
A solid SIP trunking solution will allow multiple users on the same IP PBX to conference by simply dialing a code and clicking “Join” in their softphone application. No more frustrating conference bridge dial-in codes are necessary.
Call Recording
Your business may require law or company policy to record all incoming calls. The SIP trunking provider must have this feature available at no extra cost.
Conclusion
An efficient and effective SIP trunking solution can benefit your business in a number of ways.
The best SIP trunking solution will be one that fits your business needs and accommodates all your operational requirements.
The right solution should provide great voice quality and flexible calling plans at an affordable price.
Using the list of all the necessary features to look out for, you will be able to find a reliable and trusted solution that works best for your company’s budget and needs.
