SIP trunk

A SIP trunk is a form of internet telephony, a digital replacement for a telephone line. It allows you to make unlimited phone calls and video conferencing over the internet, but it is not the same as VoIP. Cost savings include eliminating monthly fees for multiple separate phone lines and expensive long-distance rates.

To be more specific, it is a type of virtual circuit you use to connect your business telephone system directly into the public switched telephone network (PSTN), bypassing the Internet Service Provider (ISP); it connects to the Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP). The SIP trunking IP technology provides users with the ability to make calls over a single public switched telephone network (PSTN) number using multiple private branch exchange (PBX) numbers, omitting primary rate interface (PRI). Essentially, instead of separate phone lines, SIP trunks telecommunications infrastructure allows for multiple connections between telephony devices on a single line.

What are the benefits of SIP trunking?

SIP trunking allows businesses to save costs on communicating across different networks, by making calls or video conferencing, because SIP trunking services replace separate phone lines.

In addition, SIP trunking services provide a simple way to connect multiple devices into one network. This unified communication system is especially useful in, for example, call centers. Businesses can make concurrent calls or use video conferencing between mobile phones, desktop computers, tablet devices, and other VoIP equipment.

Therefore businesses often use SIP trunks for customer support because of high-quality audio and video capabilities which make them ideal for handling instant messaging and live conversations with customers.

The benefits of SIP trunking for customer service

How can LiveAgent with SIP trunking be helpful in customer service?

SIP trunking is especially useful in a call center environment because it allows you to have multiple customer service agents on the same line, and it allows you to add and remove agents at any time.

But having reliable internet telephony is just one piece of the puzzle in effective communication with customers. To ensure the quality of service, you need to stay connected with customers on the channel of their choice, chat with them if they prefer it, access their data on CRM to be in the picture, and talk to them if needed.

For example, if your call volume is high and you need more than one customer service agent to answer calls, SIP trunking can help you with that and save costs, while LiveAgent allows you to streamline your communication to one platform, making your service providing even more efficient.

You can also use SIP trunking technology to create different lines for each department or office within your organization. This way, you can separate incoming calls by department without having to add additional phone numbers; moreover, you can automate this process.

SIP Trunk Pricing

SIP providers usually offer three pricing models: per month, per device, and per call minute. Each model offers different benefits and drawbacks.

A typical SIP trunking package includes unlimited incoming and outgoing minutes, and local and long-distance calling. This plan typically costs $10-$20 per month, depending on the number of lines you add to the account. However, it may not include features like voicemail, call forwarding, caller ID, or international dialing.

The most expensive option is a per-device charge. In this scenario, each device gets charged separately. You pay for every line on the device, regardless of its use. If you wanted to use 10 devices, you would still pay $100 per month.

In addition to the price, there are many other factors to consider when selecting a SIP trunking provider. You may want to test the network capability before investing and see if it suits your needs. Some providers offer free plans, while others allow you to try out their product for 30 days. Additionally, some providers offer discounts for large volume purchases.