If you’ve been researching options for your hotel’s phone system, chances are that you’ve come across the term “SIP Trunking”. Unless you’re familiar with what SIP trunking actually is, you likely breezed right past the words without really comprehending them. Take it from us — that’s really not the best way to go about finding the right communications system for your business. Having a working knowledge of SIP trunking will empower you to make better, smarter decisions for your hotel that will work to the benefit of you, your staff, and your guests… both now and in the long run.
What Is SIP Trunking?
Let’s start from the very beginning and take a look at what SIP trunking actually is. Session Initiation Protocol (the “SIP” in SIP trunking) simply acts as the standard protocol for voice and video within Unified Communications solutions. While a traditional, analog Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) has demands for connections with termination, SIP trunking does not. This is because SIP trunks replace those needs by utilizing a company’s Internet connection via an Internet Telephony Service provider or SIP provider. SIP trunking also takes advantage of shared lines within a hotel or business in order to allow for increased communication flexibility. It’s a faster, smarter, and more efficient way of transmitting voice and video data.
SIP trunking is a way to connect a business’s private branch exchange (PBX) system to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using the internet, rather than traditional telephone lines. This allows businesses to make and receive phone calls using their internet connection rather than using traditional phone lines.
There are several benefits to using SIP trunking:
Cost savings: SIP trunking can be more cost-effective than traditional phone lines, especially for businesses with a high volume of calls.
Scalability: SIP trunking allows businesses to easily add or remove phone lines as needed, making it easy to scale up or down as business needs change.
Flexibility: SIP trunking allows businesses to use their existing PBX system and phone equipment, making it easy to switch to a new phone service provider without having to purchase new equipment.
Improved call quality: SIP trunking uses the internet to transmit calls, which can result in improved call quality compared to traditional phone lines.
What’s in It for You?
Now, for the interesting part! While you may not get excited about learning what SIP trunking is or how it works, all hoteliers are interested in learning what they stand to gain from taking advantage of SIP trunking capabilities. We’ve got good news for you in that department: SIP trunking offers hotels of all sizes some pretty substantial cost savings.
If your hotel is still relying on a legacy PBX, you’re probably paying a lot more money than you actually need to, while simultaneously being held back by the very limited communications technology that is offered through your current telephone provider. If your monthly bills — including long-distance charges, IT expenses, and maintenance fees — are too high, you could start saving drastically by switching to a SIP trunking provider.
This is because SIP trunking makes it possible for hotels and other businesses to only be required to pay for the number of lines that they need right now. While PSTNs might force you to get locked into obtaining excess analog lines, you’ll be able to “custom fit” your communications network to your hotel when you embrace SIP trunking. SIP trunking is also fully scalable, which makes it easy for your phone system to grow with your business at a rate that makes sense for you.
Another perk is that SIP trunking completely eliminates any need for you to be physically connected to a phone company. This means that you don’t have to worry about clunky hardware, wiring, or circuit boxes taking up valuable space within your facility or acting as an eyesore. In addition to freeing up space, this also cuts down on your expenses as far as maintaining your phone system.
On top of everything else, SIP trunking is extremely reliable. SIP trunking with VoIP makes sure that you’re covered no matter what. In the event of a system failure or emergency, you can count on the fact that your SIP trunking provider will be capable of rerouting services to a redundant line or call forwarding to mobile phones.
Conclusion
Overall, SIP trunking is a flexible and cost-effective way for businesses to make and receive phone calls using their internet connection.
Could SIP trunking be right for your hotel? The experts at PhoneSuite are happy to help you make the best decision based on your unique needs. We’ll help you assess your hotel’s phone and communications usage and needs, and provide you with advice on what your next move should be. Give us a call to learn more and get started today.
Curious about the cost or installation process? Get in touch today.
