Finding the Right SIP Trunking Provider

There are a lot of service providers out there who offer SIP Trunking and, naturally, each one is going to promote itself as the best choice. How then can you tell which provider is really the one that will deliver you the service and results that you require? The reality is that not all service providers are created equal and it’s important that you do your research before simply signing up with them on blind faith. Some of the things that you will want to look for in a provider are an extensive network and service that has been fully tested in various conditions. Customer support and assistance is also an important area and can be the defining difference between otherwise similar providers. Of course, interoperability and compatibility are also important things to consider.

Now, SIP may be a standard, but don’t count on it being implemented in a standard way across providers. If you have existing devices or hardware, it’s important that it be tested for compatibility with a provider’s network to ensure that it works and that all features are supported. Doing so can prevent problems further down the line at a point where it may be too late to easily back out. Of course, for maximum simplicity, a fully managed hosted solution can be used in which the provider delivers everything, including plug and play phones.

Though there is some research to be done, don’t let this scare you away. SIP Trunking is an incredible technology and you and your business will certainly benefit from the move to IP telephony. It is head and shoulders above older TDM solutions. As long as you do your homework and select a competent provider, there is nothing to worry about. As always, it’s good to enter into the search with a clear idea of what you need. Do you want support for multiple offices, distributed employees, or a SMB? You will need to consider how many simultaneous calls you require and make sure you have the necessary bandwidth to support them.

The good news is that you aren’t in this alone. Aside from the near-infinite resources available on the Internet, most providers will be happy to work with you to find a service that suits your needs. From finding the right codec to voice and data convergence, there are many aspects of SIP Trunking that require a little technical explanation to understand how they fit into the larger communications plan of your business.