Understanding the E.164 format

E.164 represents a recommended format for international telephone numbers endorsed by the International Telecommunication Union. It ensures that each device within the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) possesses a unique and identifiable number worldwide.

This adoption of globally unique telephone numbers facilitates accurate routing of calls and SMS to individual phones across the globe.

How to structure an E.164 format?

To properly utilize the E.164 format, it follows a specific structure:

• Presence of the “+” sign.
• Country calling code (international).
• Local area code.
• Local telephone number or subscriber number.

The structure can be summarized as follows: [+][country code][area code][subscriber number].

Example: E.164 Format Number in the United States

Telephone number: 415 123 4567
E.164 format number: +14151234567

• Country code: +1
• Area code: 415
• Subscriber number: 1234567

Example: E.164 format number in the United Kingdom

Telephone number: 01234 123456
E.164 format number: +441234123456

• Country code: +44
• Area code: 1234
• Subscriber number: 123456

Example: E.164 format number in Spain

Telephone number: 652 123 456

E.164 format number: +34652123456

• Country code: +34
• Area code: 652
• Subscriber number: 123456

How to dial an E.164 phone number correctly

To ensure precise dialing and successful delivery of calls and SMS, it is crucial to keep the following considerations in mind:

1. Avoid adding spaces between the elements (+ sign, country code, area code, and subscriber number) while entering the complete number.
2. E.164 format numbers are limited to a maximum of 15 digits.
3. Certain telephone numbers, such as Scottish numbers, begin with 0, which should be omitted as it is specific to national calls. Dialing from a foreign country with the 0 prefix will result in an error.

By adhering to the E.164 format, you can maximize the likelihood of your calls and SMS reaching the intended recipients.

Explore VoIPstudio’s Comprehensive Calling Code List

VoIPstudio offers a wide range of features, including access to a detailed list of country calling codes and the option to obtain national or international geographic numbers in over 30,000 cities.

Seek Assistance from Our Technical Support Team

If you have any queries or require further guidance regarding the E.164 format and its usage, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated technical support team.

The post E.164 Format: Understanding and correct use of international telephone numbers appeared first on GoTrunk.

It is one of the main leading providers of PBX System designed for SME and providing latest innovations on Unified Communications (UC) solutions. Yeastar modernizes mission-critical communication systems for customers and provides new levels of performance and competitiveness.

Yeastar PBX solutions (PBX Cloud, S-Series y P-Series)

This provider PBX System comes with on-premises and cloud-based deployment options. So that you can choose one that fits your business the most.

• S-series, is hardware based PBX designed  for small sized companies.

• P-series, is software based PBX for small and medium sized companies. You could deploy your PBX on your local servers or virtualization environment but also under any third party hosting service. Your communications will be accessible remotely thanks to Yeastar (RAS) Remote Access Service.
• Yeastar Cloud PBX, scalable and flexible Cloud PBX service. You do not need to worry about managing and maintaining servers, just focus on the phone service set up. 

Compatible Yeastar SIP endpoints

As any regular PBX you could connect any IP SIP compatible device. In addition, it could be connected with the Yeastar computer and mobile app Linkus, which is also providing advanced UC features.

• Linkus UC Clients, is the Yeastar UC application available using Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and web browsers using chrome extension.
• SIP Desk and DECT phones are compatible with manual setup and also support auto provisioning for main brands and models. Check compatibility list 
• Generic SIP softphone applications, Like Zoiper, Microsip, X-lite, Bria, etc.

More relevant features

Yeastar has regular PBX features like call forwarding, ring group, IVR and many others PBX standard features plus some advanced features like: 

• WebRTC and Video Conferencing: Right from the web browser, you can not only make and receive audio and video calls, but also initiate and join meetings, share your screen, and chat with others in the meantime.

• Economical Call Center Solution: Call center telephony for SMEs doesn’t have to be expensive or complex. Use ACD, IVR, call recording, queue panel, wallboard, SLA, and reports to maximize agent efficiency.
• Working from Anywhere: Yeastar PBX System helps connect and engage your in-office, on-the-go, and remote working employees with voice, video, applications, and collaboration. Yeastar Remote Access Service.

How to interconnect Yeastar PBX to PSTN

Yeastar PBXs could be interconnected to PSTN using: Analog lines, GSM, ISDN  or SIP trunk, all together. 

While to connect Yeastar to GSM, Analog or ISDN lie will require some external hardware or specific board.

Interconnecting your Yeastar using SIP trunk over internet connection does not require any additional hardware and it can be up and running in just 5 minutes. Check configuration steps under our GoTrunk configuration manual.

SIP trunk PSTN connection has the advantage that you can set up as many trunks as you like. This is allowing Yeastar users to easily add cost effective and backup routes.

See more advantages that you will gain by interconnecting GoTrunk to your Yeastar PBX: 

How to set up DDIs under Yeastar PBX

Once Yeastar PBX is connected to the PSTN, you can use any of the connections detailed before. You could just buy DDIs from the corresponding provider and set it up under the Yeastar platform by adding inbound routing routes.

You just need to browse settings (1), select Call Control (2), and add (3) roule for each number you like to add so indicating resource to route inbound calls to by: 

4. Set tag and DDI pattern with the inbound number. 
5. Move trunk number from number provider to Selected Tunks
6. Set For example Extension as destination.
7. Set an Extension number you like to divert calls to. 
8. Click save and apply. 

How do I set up Yeastar PBX

Latest Yeastar software release has an embedded setup wizard that helps customers to complete basic steps to get Yeastar PBX running. Main steps for set-up and configuration are:

1. Device installation.
2. Web GUI login.
3. Localize your PBX with timezone, system prompt, and region preference.
4. Change password and set up administration email.
5. Configure network settings and reboot your system.
6. Bulk create extensions for users.
7. Configure Linkus and enable Linkus Cloud Service.
8. Connect the Trunks to make calls. 

For more info, check for GoTrunk Yeastar Sip Trunk configuration manual 

1. Download Linkus UC App for your PC and smartphones
2. Create Inbound and Outbound Routes.

Or check for GoTrunk Yeastar route configuration

More specific feature configuration like DID settings, Emergency Number settings can be found on our youtube channel.

Yeastar technical support (how to contact, channels, documentation, etc.)

From Yeastar Technical Support you can access: knowledge-base, community forums and Yeastar academy. 

Your trusted integrator is also helpful to sort any doubts and questions.

From GoTrunk support you will get help with any trunk or route configuration issues. 

The post Yeastar PBX’s Integration with SIP trunking systems appeared first on GoTrunk.

Here you can find some of the advantages of using GoTrunk as a backup SIP trunk alternative or even as a main trunk solution.

Why should I use GoTrunk as a backup or fallback?

• You have no monthly fee and you only pay for the calls you make. So you can connect the trunk and simply leave some remaining balance for calls in case it is necessary to make use of it when main trunk fail.
• You can add call presentation numbers that you already have with another operator and use them to present your outboun GoTrunk calls.
• Real-time web control panel that allows you to monitor traffic and make necessary adjustments.

Why use GoTrunk as a companion output?

In addition to not having a fixed monthly fee,

• We are an operator with international termination with a great diversity of countries connectivity and excellent international rates. For example, you can call the United States from 1.2 cents a minute. You can check the rest of international rates on our website.

Therefore, by correctly configuring your PBX, you can use the trunk that best suits you for each destination.

• We can offer you access to emergency calls.

What if you use GoTrunk as your primary trunk?

• Very competitive national and international call rates.
• You can get a UK Geo number from € 5 one time payment set up and € 5 per month. We can offer inbound numbering from more than 70 countries and thousands of cities around the world. Check the available numbering and prices. 
• We can find business numbers that meet your needs.
• You can easily monitor and adjust your SIP termination settings through a Web Panel. You can take a look without registration to our panel from this link. 
• Call recording, call statistics and unlimited storage.
• Emergency call services. Until now, not many VoIP or SIP trunking providers have been offering emergency call services due to some technical challenges related to the Internet-based nature of VoIP.  
• Quality control. Our team of engineers constantly observes all current issues related to the managed network. They can also monitor the quality of calls as well as your SIP traffic in real time on their own and react immediately if necessary.
• FTP access to call log and recordings.

On GoTrunk we also provide 

• A free 30-day trial ideal to test compatibility with your PBX and verify call quality.
• Support in the trunk configuration of your IP PBX. We do not just pass the configuration parameters, we are available to help you configure the SIP Trunk in your IP PBX if you need it.
• Immediate service set-up and quickly purchase or add new DDI
• Redundant and highly availability infrastructure.
• No contract and without cancellation fees.

Start our free trial and discover the advantages of using Go Trunk as a backup SIP Trunk. 

The post Benefits to connect GoTrunk to your PBX server appeared first on GoTrunk.

But this doesn’t mean VoIP is always cheap or that it cannot get expensive. There is no upper limit on how much an organization can spend on VoIP. That’s like asking what is the most expensive car or house a person can buy. There is always something else to spend your money on!

Take a quick look at some of the things that can drive up the cost of your VoIP upgrade down below.

Upgrading Your Network Infrastructure

This is an unexpected cost for many companies. But the fact of the matter is that you should have been prepared for it. Switching to VoIP involves routing your voice calls over your existing network and the public Internet. It imposes an additional burden on the company network. Is your business ready for it?

Upgrading your network may involve many things. Some companies will have to replace their aging router and switch hardware. Others may want to invest in a new IP PBX system that supports modern features. A few businesses have to upgrade their Internet speeds or add a second connection from their ISP. You may even have to do all of the above. These costs quickly add up.

Buying SIP Compatible Phones

VoIP phones have a wide price range. You can find basic models for as low as $40-$50. At the higher end, executive or luxury models can run into hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The difference usually lies in the quality of hardware, functionality, added modules, audio fidelity, cameras, and microphones.

Of course, not every employee in the organization needs their own desk phone. Some of your workers may telecommute while others get work done on the road. A small business might not need more than a dozen VoIP phones. But a larger corporation with a dozen offices in several states? You might very well end up spending a large part of your budget on purchasing hardware.

Paying for Minutes and Features

If you’re opting for hosted VoIP, you have to pay the vendor for the minutes you use. Most providers have unlimited packages, with or without international calling thrown in. But you can also find less expensive plans that come with a set number of minutes. You might end up paying for an expensive plan and not use as much as you thought you would. On the other hand, you might exceed the given plan minutes and have to pay more at the end of the month. In both scenarios, you’ll end up paying far more than you budgeted for.

It’s a similar situation when it comes to features. Some managers and business owners who overboard when selecting an appropriate plan. Do you really need every single feature the provider offers? At the same time, other companies try to cut costs by selecting the cheapest plan. Then they find that certain crucial features are not included in it and have to pay extra anyway. Striking the right balance between your wants, needs, and budget is the key to not overpay for VoIP.

Training and Awareness

Almost everyone knows that using VoIP is not difficult. Making and answering calls is the same as on a typical landline. But that doesn’t mean you can put training and awareness on the back burner. Not everyone is tech savvy and able to use new features on their own. The bigger the company, the more likely that you have employees in need of training.

Training is not just about using new phones either. Switching to VoIP requires a new perspective in terms of security as well. The new phone system has to become part of the company’s security training program. Users will have accounts and passwords that should be protected the same as any other system. Whether it is in the form of seminars or online sessions, some sort of training may be necessary.

Enabling Unified Communication

Many companies use VoIP as a steppingstone for deploying unified communication. While that may come after some time, it is still a significant expense. The cost of deploying UC can vary depending on the size of the business and how much preparation is needed. The number and type of features or applications you need will also play a role.

As you may understand by now, there really is no upper limit to how much you can spend on VoIP. But it’s important to remember that cobbling together a similar system with analog technology will cost you so much more. And in some cases, be impossible to implement!

The post How Expensive can VoIP Get? Answer: It Depends appeared first on GoTrunk.

What Are Your Options?

When it comes to Internet delivery or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), enterprises have two options:

• SIP trunking
• Hosted services

Business uses traditional phone systems a.k.a. landlines, a typical call would first go to the PBX (Private Branch Exchange). From there, the call is routed through physical lines to its destination over the PSTN. SIP trunking has a similar set up except that your PBX has to be SIP compatible. And there are no physical lines connecting you to service provider. Instead, the call travels over your data network.

Hosted VoIP services go one step further. All the hardware and software – including the IP PBX – is not physically located in your office. The service provider delivers a dial tone and all calling features over the Internet. For many businesses, these services are critical. They don’t have to waste time in maintaining systems. Or invest a lot of money in purchasing equipment.

Inbound vs Outbound SIP Trunks

There are many ways to classify enterprise phone calls. For example, some calls are voice only while others include video. You can also group calls according to how many people are participating in it. So you can have one-to-one calls or conference calls with multiple speakers.

You can also classify calls according to the direction they travel. Calls that employees make to external entities – customers, partners, suppliers, regulators, etc. – are called outbound calls. Inbound calls go in the opposite direction. When customers or anyone else from outside the organization contact someone inside, it is an inbound call.

While the distinction between inbound and outbound calling may seem trivial, it is actually important. One reason is that you can actually separate the two. For instance, an organization may decide to use SIP trunks for outbound calls only. They can continue using the existing PRI lines for inbound calls.

Why would you do that? A business may want to ease into the transition to VoIP gradually. They may have existing equipment that they don’t want to throw out immediately. Some businesses like to test new equipment before committing wholeheartedly to it. Whatever be the reason, you can use SIP trunks in a single direction only.

The Differences between Inbound vs Outbound Calling

There are a plethora of features that SIP trunking offers, in conjunction with an IP PBX. Some features affect inbound calls only, while others impact outbound calls.

The most common features that organizations use for inbound calling are:

• Voicemail – You with multiple options here. You can have visual voicemail delivered directly to employee inboxes. You can enable automatic transcription and recording.
• Call routing – Any modern business has complex routing needs. You may have some employees working from home, from a client site or traveling. But no one should miss incoming calls. You can set up routing rules which dictate where calls should go, based on the time of the or other variables.
• Toll-free & DID numbers etc – Toll-free numbers allow customers to contact you without incurring long-distance charges. DID numbers allow you to assign direct numbers to certain employees, without maintaining separate physical lines.

On the other hand, examples of outbound calling features are:

• Integration with CRM software – This allows agents to call customers from within an application. There is no need to switch apps just for a call.
• Caller ID – This is a crucial feature for any business. Any call going from your company has to show the correct number on the caller ID. With VoIP, you can show the correct number even if you are using a different device or calling from a different location. The customer never has to know that you’re not at your desk.
• Call data records – Most organizations maintained detailed call data records. You need the data to analyze call volume, traffic, and spot issues before they blow up.

Should You Use Both?

Although you can use just one, most companies prefer to go all in with SIP trunking. That’s because the upgrade almost always saves money. While the exact amount might differ from one company to the next, practically no one will spend more on VoIP than older landlines.

Upgrading all at once also saves you time – you don’t have to implement the project in phases. You don’t have to reconcile two types of equipment at the same time. There are very few instances where enterprises go back to landlines after using VoIP. So it makes sense to deploy the entire system at once.

As always, analyze your requirements and select a system that suits your needs.

The post Inbound vs Outbound SIP Trunk – What’s the Difference? appeared first on GoTrunk.

SIP Trunks Vs. Hosted VoIP

This is the first of many decisions you have to make regarding your new phone system. The VoIP industry is filled with a sea of jargon. Almost anyone without a technical background will struggle to make heads or tails out of it. So before we dive in to compare costs, let’s understand what each term means.

SIP trunks are a way to connect your on-premise IP-PBX to the PSTN via an Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP). It is a virtual connection between your phone system and the service provider.

Hosted VoIP combine both PBX features and calling capabilities. Your service provider handles all the hardware and software needed for the phone system. All you need is an Internet connection and VoIP compatible phones.

What Does This Mean in Terms of Costs?

There are significant differences between the two solutions in terms of costs as well as non-financial aspects. Depending on your particular business circumstances, one option might be better than the other. But for now, let’s focus on what each solution will cost you.

Capital Expenses

Capital expenditure is one-time expenses that you incur at the start. Typically this category includes hardware, software licensing, set up fees, etc.

Deploying SIP trunks generally requires the following:

• An IP-PBX if you don’t already have one
• A VoIP gateway for your analog PBX if that’s what you have
• Set up costs for the SIP trunking service
• VoIP compatible handsets
• Network equipment like routers
• High-speed Internet connection

Hosted VoIP, on the other hand, needs only the last 3 items on the previous list. If you already have SIP-compatible handsets, upgraded network equipment, and a high-speed Internet connection, you’re good to go.

As you might guess, hardware and setup costs are much higher for SIP trunks.

Operational Costs

These are ongoing charges you incur on a recurring basis, most commonly each month. SIP trunking services can charge in one of two ways. The first option is a flat rate per channel each month. A single channel can support one simultaneous call. So if you need a dozen employees to use the phones at once, you will need 12 SIP channels. The second option is a per-minute payment plan. Quite a few providers offer such calling plans with no setup fees.

Your monthly bill for hosted VoIP depends on a number of factors. Providers can charge based on the number of users, calling minutes, and/or features. Depending on what you need, you may end up paying anywhere from $10 per user per month to $50 per user per month. With the right billing and call options, you might pay less with hosted VoIP.

But most commonly, businesses get better savings with SIP trunks on their monthly bills.

Labor Costs

This one is a biggie. As you might expect, hosted VoIP doesn’t need much maintenance at your end. Apart from internal housekeeping like assigning numbers, switching lines or deleting users, there’s not much to do. It means your IT department doesn’t have to waste time on troubleshooting common problems every day. It gives them free time to focus on more important issues.

But with SIP trunking you need professionals and it’s not just for the initial set up. Having an on-premise PBX gives you more control. But that also means configuring new features and maintaining the system is up to the IT team as well. Some companies already have VoIP experts on their team. Others will have to hire additional staff.

Costs and ROI

There are other cost differences between the two alternatives but these are the most common insignificant ones. So far it might seem that hosted VoIP wins out over SIP trunks, at least on price. So why do enterprises opt for SIP trunking?

The key thing to remember is that investing in SIP trunks and an on-premise PBX is exactly what it implies – an investment. It is not simply an expense. What’s the biggest factor to consider when making an investment? That’s right, the return on your investment. SIP trunk deployments generate positive ROI over the long-term.

Since you own the hardware and software, you decide when you should upgrade or not. You are in complete control of deploying new features, security, and customization. Larger organizations tend to have more varied requirements, need better security and have access to professionals. For a large business that can afford the investment, there is no better alternative than SIP trunks.

The post SIP Trunk Additional Costs vs Hosted VoIP appeared first on GoTrunk.

If your business is looking to upgrade, SIP trunks are one option you could choose. There was a time when only large organizations deploying on-premise SIP trunking systems. But in 2019 there are many open source and completely free software you can use instead. As a result, smaller organizations also opting for SIP trunks over hosted services.

What Do You Need for SIP Trunks?

There are several things you need to get SIP trunking to work within the organization. The most important components are:

• SIP trunking services from a reputed vendor
• An IP PBX that supports the SIP standard
• SIP endpoints a.k.a. phones to make and receive calls
• A robust and fast Internet connection with sufficient bandwidth
• Modern network equipment that is equipped to handle voice traffic

As you might guess, an IP PBX plays an important role in the entire set up. This software – or hardware appliance as the case may be – is crucial because it delivers the calling features you rely on. It is up to you to configure the PBX for voicemail, call routing, and others.

FreeSWITCH

There are dozens of IP PBX software you can purchase. There are also just as many free options if you don’t want to spend the money. FreeSWITCH is one such software, that’s a great alternative to Asterisk. In fact, a former Asterisk developer started the project to remedy certain weaknesses. FreeSWITCH is designed to be flexible, scalable, extensible, and extremely stable.

FreeSWITCH is especially remarkable when you consider how companies use it in different ways. It can run on anything from a Raspberry Pi to a powerful server. You can run the software on different platforms including Linux, Solaris, Mac OS, and even Windows. A business can use FreeSWITCH as a PBX system, a switch, as a softphone or even as an application server. The possibilities really are endless. With the right combination of modules, you can pretty much build the custom system your business needs.

The FreeSWITCH software stack can handle voice, text messaging, and video calls. It can interface between the PSTN and VoIP networks. It supports a multitude of VoIP protocols including WebRTC. You shouldn’t be surprised to learn that you could even connect your PRI lines.

As with any other IP-PBX system, you should connect FreeSWITCH to your SIP trunks. There was a time when configuring and setting up SIP trunks required deep technical expertise. Today that is no longer the case. As you can see from this page, setting it up with GoTrunk is quick and easy. You could be up and running within a few hours!

Benefits of FreeSWITCH

Flexible

One of the biggest benefits of using FreeSWITCH is the flexibility it offers. You could use it is a library within your custom applications. Your IT team could run it as a service on Windows. Depending on what you use it for, you don’t need powerful hardware to run it either. This makes it suitable for even a small business to use.

Modular

FreeSWITCH is a modular system. What does this mean for you? It means you can easily add features by adding modules. You can even disable or enable these modules depending on your requirements. If you can’t find anything that fits your needs, write your own! You have a choice of several different programming languages to use. This is a powerful incentive for organizations to select FreeSWITCH over other software.

Open source

Another significant benefit is that the project is open source. That means you’re likely to find tons of documentation, forums and other forms of support online. At this point, the software is more than a decade old. It has been tried and tested by hundreds of businesses. Whatever problem you run into, it is likely that someone has already created a solution for it.

As an open source project, you don’t have to worry about being licensing fees as well. This is a boon for small and medium organizations. But that doesn’t mean large corporations shouldn’t use it. FreeSWITCH is powerful enough to support companies of any size.

These are not the only things that FreeSWITCH has going for it. But it should be enough to show that it is a good option for enterprises. After the initial setup, you can always customize and configure the system to your liking. As your company grows and your requirements change, you can be sure that FreeSWITCH can keep up.

The post FreeSWITCH SIP Trunk – What are the Benefits? appeared first on GoTrunk.

For a long time, there was a clear divide between the businesses that use SIP trunks and those that prefer hosted services. Small businesses opted for the latter. Larger corporations used SIP trunks for the most part. Off late however, things have begun to change. Some big companies are opting for hosted services to reduce maintenance and hassle. On the flipside, small businesses are looking to SIP trunks because of growth and expansion.

Nevertheless, it is true that larger businesses prefer SIP trunks. Let’s take a quick look at why this is so.

SIP Trunks Are Cost-Effective

It’s no secret that VoIP is much less expensive than traditional landlines. Organizations may see their bills reduced by as much as 50% if they upgrade to Internet telephony. But how much you save can vary depending on a lot of factors.

Generally speaking, SIP trunks offer a better return on investment in the long-term. While you do require a higher initial investment, it pays off in terms of volume. For large organizations that make thousands of phone calls per day, SIP trunks are much more cost-effective. The more calls you make, the less it costs per call.

So why don’t small and medium businesses also use SIP trunks if they are cheaper? The answer lies in the high cost of initial investment. If you opt for SIP trunking, you need to purchase and maintain your own IP PBX. It requires manpower, technical expertise, and financial resources. These are all things that a small business usually lacks. Hence they generally prefer hosted services which have a smaller monthly bill and practically zero upfront fees.

SIP Trunks Are Customizable

SIP trunks give organizations more control over their phone system. That is because the vendor is only in charge of connectivity and providing a dial tone. Any call features that you want has to come from your own IP PBX. Your IT team can push updates as soon as they are ready. Your employees can start using these features the moment they are available. You don’t have to pay extra fees or wait for a vendor.

It also means that you are in charge of securing the entire system. You don’t have to rely on a third-party provider. If you have in-house expertise, then you may do a better job than an outsider. For a small business that does not have IT experts on the team, it’s good to leave it to experts. But large companies generally prefer to control their systems, especially when it is so vital to the business.

SIP Trunks Are Flexible and Reliable

Technically speaking, both hosted services and SIP trunks are flexible and reliable. However there are differences in how the two are deployed.

Hosted VoIP services are perfect for small and medium businesses when it comes to flexibility. A company can easily add numbers or lines for seasonal growth, unexpected demand, and expansion. Similarly, you can remove lines from your account when you no longer need them.

But there is a limit to how far you can go in both directions. It largely comes down to the vendor’s experience and resources. Some providers cater exclusively to small businesses. They may not be able to handle the huge growth spurts.

With SIP trunks however, you are in control of almost everything. That means you can downsize or expand to accommodate your business needs. Large companies generally have the resources to invest in additional equipment, software, or human expertise. This is yet another reason why corporations prefer SIP trunks.

It is a similar case for reliability. Most reputed hosted VoIP service providers offer automatic failover and redundancy. You can re-route calls to a mobile phone or landline if your Internet fails.

But what if you have two dozen offices scattered across the world? Some operate in countries which regulate VoIP tightly. Others lack access to certain resources and cannot use mobile phones as a failover option. With SIP trunks, you can tailor your emergency plans to account for such differences. It’s much harder to do that with hosted services.

Should You Go For SIP Trunks?

All this doesn’t mean that a small business cannot use SIP trunks or vice versa. But it quickly becomes obvious that large corporations have several reasons to rely on SIP trunks. They also have the resources necessary to deploy them within the company. Be sure to select the option that fits your needs. You don’t have to use one or the other based on your size alone!

The post Do Larger Businesses Prefer to Use an SIP Trunk? appeared first on GoTrunk.

The key here is to select the option that meets your unique requirements. After all, a small bakery has little in common with a large manufacturing enterprise. So why should your phone system be the same? That being said, one reason for selecting SIP trunking is customization. This alternative gives you full control over the system. You’re in charge of everything – and security and configuration to features and updates.

What Do You Need for SIP Trunks?

If you are setting up your own premise-based SIP trunking system, there are a few parts you need to put together. A SIP trunk is naturally one piece of the entire puzzle. There was a time when few people understood SIP trunks. You needed the technical knowledge to set one up. The situation is quite different in 2019. Many providers offer intuitive onboarding through web dashboards.

Now that you have the SIP trunk, you need an IP PBX. In the case of hosted services, all of this is provided in a bundle to you over the Internet. With SIP trunks, you have to bring your own. There are a lot of options when it comes to IP PBX systems. One of the most popular ones is Asterisk. It is open source software, meaning you don’t have to pay to use it.

But the software lacks an easy to use GUI interface. To fill this vacuum, there are many applications which bring together Asterisk’s feature in one platform. Some of these are also free to use, just like the base software. One such example is Elastix.

What is Elastix?

Elastix is best described as a unified communication suite. It offers a range of PBX related features, supports fax, email, instant messaging, and a wide variety of other communication options. What sets Elastix apart from other PBX systems is its reliability, modularity, and ease-of-use.

It integrates some of the best options available in Asterisk. Apart from that, it also adds its own set of features and tools. It even allows you to create custom modules that better suit your needs. You can also download third-party packages to add specific features. All of this combine to make Elastix one of the best options for open source PBX software.

Is It Suitable for Small Business?

Small businesses tend to avoid SIP trunks as it needs a bit more work to set up. You may also have to pay licensing fees and purchase the software. But with Elastix, you don’t have to. The software is free for up to 16 simultaneous calls. It means that businesses with fewer than 50 extensions, don’t have to pay anything to use the application.

You also have options regarding setup and installation. For example, you can install Elastix on a small mini PC appliance or a server if you have one. You can even install it in your own cloud account such as Google Cloud. What this means is you don’t have to purchase anything extra to use Elastix with any SIP trunk.

Elastix offers mobile clients, so your employees can use their personal phones for business calls. This enhances mobility and allows you to offer remote working options. Unified communication features such as presence information, instant messaging, and softphone apps mean you don’t have to worry about upgrading.

Setting up Elastix with GoTrunk

Most providers will help you with setting up Elastix with their SIP trunk service. Let’s take a look at how to configure Elastix with your GoTrunk service. GoTrunk offers detailed instructions in their online manual. The instructions even show you how to set it up for two different versions of Elastix ( 2.5 and 4.0).

There are separate methods to follow depending on if you use a static IP address or dynamic IP address. As long as you’re familiar with your internal network, it shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to set up Elastix. That doesn’t sound too difficult, does it?

After you’ve added GoTrunk to Elastix, configure the routing for outbound and inbound calls. Add outbound routes as well as inbound routes for each phone number in your GoTrunk account. Once this step is complete, you’re all set to make and receive calls!

Elastix offers a wealth of features that help any business. But it’s especially suitable for small businesses with its easy to use interface and quick setup. As your business grows, you don’t have to switch to another software. So why wait? Get started with SIP trunking for your organization today!

The post Elastix SIP Trunk – How it Works and Integrates with GoTrunk appeared first on GoTrunk.

It’s no secret that phone systems can be very complicated. Dive headfirst into the world of telephony and you’re faced with a sea of acronyms and jargon. Does this mean you have to be a genius to set up your phone system? While it would no doubt help, you don’t have to be. As long as you understand the basics, you can make SIP trunks work for your organization.

The Basics of SIP Trunking

Let’s take a quick look at the basic components involved in SIP trunking. Here’s what you need for an enterprise phone system:

• IP PBX
• SIP trunk
• Internet connection
• Network equipment (router, SBC, etc)

IP PBX

When most people think of phone system, they’re actually referring to features like voicemail, call transfer, etc. You get these features through your PBX (Private Branch eXchange). PBX systems have been around for a long time. However, you need an IP enabled PBX for SIP trunking. Most modern systems support IP standards, so you don’t have to worry about it.

SIP Trunks

The SIP trunk is what connects your PBX to the ITSP (Internet Telephony Service Provider). It is not a physical line made of copper wires. It is a virtual connection. That means you can add and remove SIP trunks quickly, as and when you need them. You will have to configure your SIP trunk with the PBX you are using.

Internet

Traditional phone calls travel over the PSTN. VoIP calls use the Internet instead. That means you need a robust Internet connection with sufficient bandwidth to place calls. You probably have a high-speed data connection already. However, you will be putting additional traffic on the network when making calls. If each call requires x amount of bandwidth and you estimate 10 concurrent calls at a time, you will need 10x bandwidth.

Network Equipment

Most offices will have routers, switches, modems, etc. as network infrastructure. There’s not much you need to know about this hardware. But you do have to configure QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritize voice traffic on the network. This means calls won’t be affected if someone starts downloading a large file or streaming video in the office.

Selecting the Right Provider

Once you understand the basic components of SIP trunking, you are better prepared to deploy it within your organization. However, selecting the right provider will go a long way to getting it right. Most reputed vendors will have installation guides for various popular PBX software. Even if your solution is not on the list, the vendor should be able to guide you through the configuration process.

Some providers even allow you to test the service to make sure you have everything right. Testing allows you to see if your network equipment suitable or needs to be upgraded/replaced. You can also see if the setup is working under real-world conditions or if it needs tweaking.

The Need for Technical Expertise

As you can see, you don’t have to be an expert to install and use SIP trunks. For a small business, set up and configuration is quite straightforward. But as your organization grows and expands, you might feel the need for bringing experts on board. It is one thing to manage a PBX system with two dozen extensions. What if your company grows to several hundred employees and a dozen offices across the country?

At some point, you will have to hire a professional or two to manage the phone system for you. While you could still do it all yourself, it makes more sense to delegate responsibilities. As a business owner or manager, you have more important tasks. Just like hiring an accountant, an IT pro for your phones makes sense as your priorities and needs change.

Business owners worry about the cost of hiring new personnel. Won’t this drive up the total cost of the system? It’s a legitimate concern. But what you need to remember is that SIP trunking can reduce your phone expenses by as much as 50% or more. Even if you have to hire an entire team to manage the system, it will be less expensive than the equivalent number of landlines and PRI lines.

While SIP trunks and IP PBX systems do require a bit of investment up front, they’ll keep working for years. The more you use the system, the lower your cost per call. So if you are considering SIP trunks for your business, go right ahead!

The post How Much Technical Expertise Do you Need for a SIP Trunk? appeared first on GoTrunk.