What is SIP calling and How it works: A Deep Dive into Modern Telephony

Want to save 60% on your business communication with enriched features and upgrade your communication to the next level? If yes, then SIP calling is the best option for you.

Upgrade your old traditional landline phone to the cloud platform to enable SIP and communicate seamlessly over the internet. Integrate SIP calling, deliver excellent customer service, and enhance the calling experience of the customer. Not only that, enhance productivity with remote access, expand your business globally, and take your business to the next level.

If you want your business to have seamless communication over the internet and streamline your business operation, delivering excellent customer service, then this blog is definitely for you. Here, you will learn about SIP calling, its working mechanism, benefits it brings to the business, SIP security, and many more. So, let’s get started!

What is SIP Calling?

SIP (Session Initiated Protocol) is a technology that allows one to make and receive online calls over the Internet. Businesses can eliminate the need for wiring and additional infrastructure by connecting existing PBXs to the cloud. SIP calling is the process of transferring voice calls over a SIP trunk or channel, allowing video calling and live calls with the customers.

SIP Trunking uses a dedicated internet communications channel called a “trunk” and the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to connect, disconnect, and maintain calls.  You can use this telephony protocol to set up an audio or video conference over the phone. 

How does SIP Call Work?

SIP uses SIP protocol, allowing you to make inbound or outbound calls over the Internet. In this SIP calling, voice calls are transformed into digital data packets and transformed over the internet or SIP trunk. SIP calling eliminates the PRI (Primary Rate Interface) lines and connects the users without any external connection over the cloud. 

Connecting the IP network with the SIP protocol caller can decode the message and communicate efficiently. Additionally, SIP can be used to initiate, modify, maintain, and terminate real-time messaging, video, and other forms of communication. SIP trunking involves multiple components that work together to provide SIP calling functionality. Here are the components of SIP calling:

SIP Channels

SIP channels are phone lines that carry phone calls. This feature allows you to make outgoing and incoming calls at the same time.

SIP Trunk

The SIP trunk is formed by grouping together multiple SIP lines. It bridges the connection between the company’s phone system and the Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP).

SIP Protocol

A set of rules that govern internet data connections, called the SIP Protocol, is responsible for making and ending connections. This protocol allows users to communicate better with the help of services provided by SIP, like voice, video, or messaging services and collaboration.

SIP Provider

Companies or businesses that provide SIP services are called SIP providers. Providers of SIP services group one or more SIP connections and route them through an on-premise private branch exchange (PBX).

SIP and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Both SIP and VoIP are similar technologies that play a crucial factor in allowing voice communication over the internet. Here are the similarities and dissimilarities between SIP and VoIP:

Benefits of SIP Calling

SIP calls help initiate, maintain, modify, and terminate real-time calls. Upgrading a PBX system to the cloud platform and enabling SIP calling can be beneficial for international and long-distance calling. Also, it helps businesses to become technologically competitive by simplifying communication systems. Here are some benefits of SIP calling:

Scalability

In this modern business era, businesses are constantly changing. To ease up the process of expanding businesses that grow at an unpredictable and rapid pace, SIP calling provides scalability features that allow you to scale up and down your phone system according to the needs of the business. 

Adding or removing users is easy, and scaling up requires no additional hardware, cable, or charges. By contacting the service provider, you can enhance business communications by adding more phone lines at minimal cost.

Cost Savings

Using a traditional phone system requires extra cable wire and infrastructure. In addition, you may have to pay for extra lines you’re not using, which will increase the overhead expenses. But with SIP calling, you can save 60% of the cost as it drastically reduces charges for long-distance and international calls. With SIP trunking, you just need to pay on a per-user basis.

For SIP calls, all you need is a reliable IP network to call seamlessly nationally and internationally with minimal charge. Setting up SIP calling is also easy and cheap you can connect your existing PBX to the cloud platform and save a significant amount of money. 

Business Continuity

SIP trunking allows you SIP calling, which helps in the smooth running of the businesses. As SIP calling is performed over the cloud, you don’t have to worry about data loss due to power outages and natural disasters. By setting up backup routes for your calls on a cloud platform, you can protect your business against unexpected events or even disasters.

Since SIP calling is internet-based, it allows seamless remote access, which helps employees connect with each other and customers despite the location. This allows the smooth running of business operations even if the workers are located in different locations and keeps the business running without disturbance.

Enhanced Features and Multi-functionality 

With enhanced features and functionality, SIP calling offers a great communication facility to businesses. Some features like Voice-to-email, video chat, conferencing, and integration help to enhance the call quality and provide a better calling experience.

Also, with the features of SIP calling, you can manage and access your messages. Furthermore, It allows users to review call history as well as get insights into their communication and keep business running even at the time of a power outage.

Global Reach and Security Features

SIP calling allows long-distance international calls at a very affordable rate. With internet connectivity, users can perform SIP calls worldwide and communicate better. Not only does SIP calling allow video calls and conferencing, but it also enables remote work for diverse workers, helps to expand the customer base, and provides an excellent calling experience.

Also, SIP systems come with many security features like encryption and authentication. These features help to protect communication from eavesdropping and unauthorized access and provide safe communication.

SIP Security and Authentication

Due to the increasing scams and cyber security issues, many businesses use SIP calling for an extra layer of security.  To ensure integrity, authenticity, and confidentiality of real-time communication over the Internet, businesses rely on SIP(Session Initiation Protocol) security and authentication. Safety has been a major issue for businesses to protect the confidential details of the company and customers. 

Importance of SIP Security

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) security is very crucial while performing SIP calls, as sometimes you might be a victim of cyber threats in this growing digital world. To safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of real-time communication over the internet, SIP security is a must. To be safe from fraud, scams, eavesdropping, and unauthorized access and to protect your sensitive and personal information, implementing SIP security measures can be a great help. 

Some of the SIP security measures are:

Authentication

Valid credentials must be provided to establish a connection and connect the device to the SIP server. To get access to the SIP service, you must enter the user name and password for authentication otherwise, you will not be able to access the SIP services. Authentication helps eliminate unauthorized access and keep the data safe. Also, server authentication features of SIP calling cross-checks the server and keep away from malicious entity.

Encryption

SIP call comes with an encryption feature, i.e., Transport Layer Security(TLS). This helps to encrypt the voice signal in the transmission process, preventing eavesdropping and third-party involvement. Also, Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP) is used to encrypt audio and video data exchanged during SIP calls, ensuring integrity and confidentiality for real-time media streams. This SIP security helps to protect the data from unauthorized access.

Firewalls 

Firewall plays a significant role in SIP security.  This helps to monitor and filter out the SIP traffic. The firewall inspects data packets, and if there is any unusual behavior in SIP calls, it instantly blocks the call and provides protection from scams and fraud.

Network Segmentation

Separating SIP networks and traffic from other network traffic will enhance the security of the calls. Proper network segmentation for SIP network and traffic will prevent unauthorized access to SIP servers and provide an extra layer of security for SIP calls.

Conclusion

So yes, using SIP calling can be very beneficial and safe. Transform your old PBX phone system into a cloud platform and enjoy its enriching features and functionality. SIP calling will allow inbound and outbound calls over the internet, saving you a lot of money on long-distance calls and international calls.

Not only is it a cost-effective solution, but SIP calling ensures the best security features. With SIP calling’s security features, such as authentication, encryption, and others, you can ensure the confidentiality and integrity of real-time communication, business operations, and customer trust. Also, it allows you to connect with customers with calls, video chat, and conferencing, streamlining business communication and enhancing the calling experience of the customers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the SIP protocol?

An SIP protocol refers to the guidelines followed by all the devices while they’re interacting. In short, it makes SIP trunks and calling work, enabling clear and smooth communication.

Who Uses SIP Calling?

Businesses of all sizes use SIP calling, as SIP helps businesses reduce their business communication expenses, allowing them to communicate seamlessly over the Internet. Also, SIP calling allows scalability, flexibility, and remote work, enhancing business operations and providing a better calling experience.

Can you perform SIP calls without a WIFI connection?

 A SIP call uses the Wi-Fi network but can also reach the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), which means you are able to make calls outside your network.