SIP Tips & VoIP Advice For Business

1. Why use SIP?
2. SIP vs H323
3. SIP Trunks - Internet Phone Lines
4. SIP Trunk Phone Numbers
5. Hosted SIP & VoIP
6. SIP Trunk Pricing
7. Use SIP to Move
8. SIP & Business Mobiles
9. SIP Summary - Pros & Cons
10. Get Started with SIP

NEC's DT750 VoIP SIP Phone supports the latest VoIP and SIP technology, provided via the SV8100 SIP Hybrid Phone System

SIP business solutions for:

Why Use SIP?	SIP Tips
SIP & VoIP	Since 1999, VoIP has been the technology used to convert traditional voice telephone calls into data, or IP. SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is the latest protocol used for VoIP communications. There is another VoIP protocol available, known as H323 which has been around longer than SIP.
Why Use SIP?	Telephones and data can run together on computer networks. Computer Networks are easier to deploy and cheaper to run than phone networks. There's usually no issue with giving mobile workers email and applications via laptops and multi-media devices, but telephones always seems to be more difficult and expensive to add. VoIP and SIP technology allow voice communciations to join the party without breaking the bank.
Free SIP Phone Calls?	er... no. Many VoIP dealers sell SIP and VoIP off the back of the "free phone calls" myth. Truth is, the CALLS are free only to other SIP users/devices, however you have to rent additional equipment and services to make it work. Plus, if you call a non-SIP device such as a GSM mobile phone, you can pay extortionate "break-out" call rates. Proving yet again that nothing in this world is free, not even SIP.
Need a SIP solution for your Business or Organisation? Use our easy SIP enquiry form. Or simply call us on 0845 634 4008 or email sales@southern-comms.co.uk

SIP vs H323	SIP Tips
H323 & VoIP	H323 was the original VoIP protocol used to establish calls between VoIP systems and devices. Problem was, that's about all it did. "Call Set-Up" is the only feature supported by H323. It is literally VOICE over IP, and no additional telephony features are supported, such as Caller ID or Hold & Transfer. The functionality you get is therefore less than a standard analogue phone line. The phone system manufacturers got around this by each producing thier own modified versions of H323 with varying levels of integrated functions. The best ones (eg. NEC, Avaya & Splicecom) allowed for centralized operators, centralized voicemail, hot desking and much more. But as soon as you tried to connect two different phone systems, or try to use third-party VoIP phones the shared functionality would revert to standard H323 and prove quite restrictive.
Introducing SIP	SIP has a larger number of standard functions over and above "call set-up", which means the amount of integration between devices is better. The amount of functionality achievable is therefore down to the development of the devices you're using. SIP is also under constant review and development, so there's lots more to come.
Need a SIP solution for your Business or Organisation? Use our easy SIP enquiry form. Or simply call us on 0845 634 4008 or email sales@southern-comms.co.uk

SIP Trunks, aka Internet Phone Lines	SIP Tips
What are SIP Trunks?	They're just phone lines. They don't come from the public telecoms network. SIP Trunks are from a different place: the internet. This means calls between SIP trunks are free. SIP Trunks support digital business functions such as caller ID and direct-dialling, and may therefore be a future replacement for ISDN.
SIP Trunks - You will need:	1. Caution. Note the internet doesn't prioritise VoIP or SIP phone calls, so there is no guarantee on phone quality or reliability of connection. See our pros and cons section. Most businesses are installing SIP trunks only on a trial basis. 2. A quality, dedicated broadband or leased line connection. To host SIP trunks / voice only. Don't even think about using your old broadband line. Squeezing voice calls down older, contended broadband circuits means SIP won't work. 3. An arrangement with a SIP trunk provider, or a phone calls and line provider that can offer SIP trunks. You pay for installation and rental of every SIP trunk, and for the telephone numbers associated with it. 4. A phone system that is SIP trunk compatible, or a SIP trunk compatible phone / device. 5. Adequate computer network security arrangements to support and allow SIP trunk communications
Need a SIP solution for your Business or Organisation? Use our easy SIP enquiry form. Or simply call us on 0845 634 4008 or email sales@southern-comms.co.uk

SIP Trunks and Phone Numbers	SIP Tips
SIP Numbers	Have as many as you like. You can associate a single phone number with a SIP trunk, or with a group of SIP trunks in the same way as traditional telephone lines. Like ISDN, you can also have a range of sequential phone numbers associated with a single SIP trunk or group. Each phone number has an installation cost and associated line rental charge, usually slightly less than standard phone network lines.
Will SIP Trunks support my existing number?	Yes. Here's how it works: Your new SIP trunk(s) are installed and configured with a new and unique telephone number(s). If you want calls on your existing advertised phone number to be delivered over SIP, we will "port" your old number to our network and deliver the calls down your SIP trunks. This is a great solution for relocating business. You can move to any location and have your phone calls routed to your system via the internet & SIP trunks.
Need a SIP solution for your Business or Organisation? Use our easy SIP enquiry form. Or simply call us on 0845 634 4008 or email sales@southern-comms.co.uk

Hosted SIP & VoIP	SIP Tips
SIP Hosting or IP Centrex	Hosted SIP is the VoIP version of Centrex, and is also known as IP Centrex. Ever heard of Centrex? BT Featurelines maybe? Same thing. Centrex, also marketed in the UK as BT Featurelines remove the nead for a phone system within a business. Every telephone has a dedicated phone line (or Featureline) connected to the the local newtork exchange. Each line has it's own number and the local telecoms exchange acts as the telephone system. Centrex and Featurelines never match the functionality of private business phone systems, as they usually depend on analogue lines and phones however they are an ideal solution for businesses with a small number of telephones, or for organisations with many small branches.
How Hosted SIP Works	As with SIP Trunks, you'll need a dedicated high-quality broadband or leased line connection, dedicated to voice. Avoid hosted providers who say you can share the voice and data traffic on a single broadband connection. Your IP Centrex hosting provider will have a huge VoIP system running in a data centre, probably in London. VoIP telephones are deployed within your business, communicating with the "mothership" system remotely via your broadband and the internet. The main remote phone system will have a number of telephony features available (eg. voicemail, hunt groups) which you switch on according to your telephony needs.
Hosted SIP Costs	Here's the interesting bit! Expect to pay: 1. Voice broadband installation and rental costs - for the telephone host line and VoIP broadband service 2. Initial configuration / admin / set-up fees for the hosted service. These vary wildly, and be careful. Sometimes these costs are hidden in the small print. 3. Rentals. You rent each telephone on a monthly basis. You also rent additional features, eg. voicemail boxes. So if your requirements are basic, SIP hosting can be cheap. 4. Phone calls. Calls to other hosted users will be free as they pass via the internet. Calls to mobiles and other landline destinations are subject to your SIP host's tariff, and are often non-negotiable.
Need a SIP solution for your Business or Organisation? Use our easy SIP enquiry form. Or simply call us on 0845 634 4008 or email sales@southern-comms.co.uk

SIP Trunk Costs - Price guide	SIP Tips
SIP Trunks - price guide	The following costs are provided a a guide only and are variable subject to phone call and line tariff arrangements.
Broadband for SIP	SIP trunk capacity - number of simultaneous SIP calls: 15 Broadband type: Uncontended / Zero contention Minimum UPLOAD bandwidth: 500 kb/s Installation: £99.00 (phone line & broadband) Rental: £26.99 per month including line rental
SIP Trunk Prices	Installation: £70.00 (unlimited SIP trunks) + £1.00 per phone number Monthly Rental: £6.00 per SIP trunk includes all phone numbers
Need a SIP solution for your Business or Organisation? Use our easy SIP enquiry form. Or simply call us on 0845 634 4008 or email sales@southern-comms.co.uk

Relocating with SIP Trunks	SIP Tips
SIP - A Moving Tool	"Beep beep beep The number has been changed to...." Options used to be restrcitive for phone numbers when relocating. SIP technology brings additional network-based telephony features that become very useful for businesses who are relocating or moving premises.
SIP Trunks at your new site	It's likely that you will be installing a new SIP-compatible phone system or equipment at your new site. Adding SIP trunks to the arrangement will allow you to divert calls on your old number(s) straight to your new location via the interent, and handle them in the same way as before without your customers knowing.
SIP Diverts	Entire number ranges can be ported to our network and dealt with in a bespoke manner. Previously, larger businesses with large number ranges had hugely expensive and restricted "announcement only" arrangements. Now, the whole number ranges can be ported to our network and redirected via SIP trunks and/or have automated messages, or be directed over the public telecoms networks, with each service arranged on an individual phone number basis.
Need a SIP solution for your Business or Organisation? Use our easy SIP enquiry form. Or simply call us on 0845 634 4008 or email sales@southern-comms.co.uk

SIP & Business Mobile	SIP Tips
SIP & Windows Mobile 6	SIP calls can be delivered to business mobiles via wifi networks and the free SIP client software incorporated within Windows Mobile 6. Workers on the move can take phone system calls and GSM mobile calls via the same SIP-enabled devices
Mobile SIP Clients	SIP and VoIP phone system manufacturers also have SIP client software available, which can be loaded onto smart phones and compatible business mobiles. SIP clients and useful phone system applications are now bringing SIP telephony to the mobile workforce.
Need a SIP solution for your Business or Organisation? Use our easy SIP enquiry form. Or simply call us on 0845 634 4008 or email sales@southern-comms.co.uk

SIP Pros & Cons	SIP Tips
SIP Pros	Mobility for the workforce Hot desking Multi-site corporate functionality, centralised operations Flexible options for business relocation and number redirects Easy IT-biased management & configuration Ongoing line rental is cheaper than analogue and ISDN SIP trunks have digital ISDN functionality
SIP Cons	Quality of SIP calls is not guaranteed over the internet. General view is that the internet is not yet good enough for business calls. Not enough users have SIP trunks yet. Most calls are still to mobiles. Break-out calls to mobiles and land lines are higher than traditionally routed phone calls, sometimes double the cost. SIP providers not subject to "open market" and can set call tariffs without risk or regulation. SIP trunk users cannot "shop around" for alternative providers. Numbers ported over to SIP providers and hosted systems usually cannot be regained or returned to the customer.

Need a SIP solution for your Business or Organisation? Use our easy SIP enquiry form. Or simply call us on 0845 634 4008 or email sales@southern-comms.co.uk

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SIP Tips

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Or simply call us on 0845 634 4008 or email sales@southern-comms.co.uk

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