SIP Trunking

If your enterprise has already invested in a PBX, CenturyLink's end-to-end SIP Trunking will enable you take full advantage of it. You can dramatically improve your operating efficiency by integrating your voice and data onto a single connection with an SIP Trunk solution.

A SIP Trunk solution can increase your efficiency and reduce your costs through advantages like these:

Reduce capital expenditures: There's no need for equipment changeover or disruption of service, so prior investments in legacy infrastructure are preserved.
Lower operational costs: Reduced overhead costs associated with operating and maintaining multiple service-specific access lines.
Maximize your current investment: You'll more efficiently utilize your existing PBX, whether it's traditional or IP-based.
Pool bandwidth from different locations: If you have an IP PBX you can merge communications paths across multiple sites during peak efficiency times to achieve optimal network efficiency.

FAQ

Q: What is SIP Trunking?: A: SIP, which stands for Session Initiation Protocol, is a protocol that handles all multimedia elements (voice, data, video).
Q: What is CenturyLink SIP Trunking?: A: CenturyLink SIP Trunking converges a company's voice and data on a single network connection. Unlike traditional telephony, where multiple connections are delivered to a business, CenturyLink SIP Trunking allows users to use a single private connection (not the open Internet) to the network that dynamically allocates available bandwidth traffic for both voice and data. With CenturyLink SIP Trunking, a company owns and maintains a PBX on its premises, and CenturyLink manages its connection to the network.
Q: What services are available with CenturyLink SIP Trunking?: A: CenturyLink SIP Trunking can provide local, long distance, Toll Free and international voice calls in addition to the standard data, email and Internet services available on a CenturyLink data circuit.
Q: What is a PBX/IP PBX?: A: A PBX, or Private Branch Exchange, is a telephone switch located on a business' premises that serves a particular business or office. A PBX typically connects the business' internal phones to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). An IP PBX is a software-based switch, which enables voice to be sent via Internet Protocol over a data connection.
Q: Does CenturyLink SIP Trunking require an IP PBX?: A: No. CenturyLink SIP Trunking does not require a company to upgrade to an IP PBX. However, if a company already has an IP PBX, or decides to upgrade to one, a CenturyLink SIP Trunk will enable many of its IP-based features.
Q: What features are available with CenturyLink SIP Trunking?: A: CenturyLink SIP Trunking supports the IP features that a company's IP PBX offers.
Q: Will I be able to keep my existing phone numbers at all my locations inside the Continental United States?: A: If you upgrade to CenturyLink SIP Trunking and all your locations are connected via a CenturyLink data network, we can maintain your existing numbers at all of your locations.
Q: Do I need to purchase a new phone system to use CenturyLink SIP Trunking?: A: In most cases companies can migrate to CenturyLink SIP Trunking without changing their existing phone system. To find out if your system is compatible, contact your local CenturyLink representative.
Q: How many SIP Trunks will I need?: A: One SIP Trunk creates a single call path, which supports one phone conversation. You will need to order one SIP Trunk for each simultaneous call you want to support.
Q: What is the difference between SIP Trunking and PRI?: A: PRI stands for Primary Rate Interface, and it is a service that transmits voice, video, data and other network services over traditional circuits to the PSTN. PRIs are delivered over T1 connections, and typically provide 23 channels that carry voice between the network and its users. Usually this means that when a company has outgrown a PRI, they must install an additional T1 circuit whether requiring the full 23 channels or not. SIP Trunks, on the other hand, do not require separate T1 access circuits. They are provisioned over the IP network and delivered across the wide area network (WAN), allowing calls to be accessed from, and transferred to, different locations on the WAN. SIP Trunks can be purchased in smaller units, or even a single trunk at a time.
Q: Is it possible to migrate from a SIP Trunking solution to a Hosted VoIP solution down the road?: A: Yes, and in fact for many companies SIP Trunking may be a good intermediate step before migrating fully to Hosted VoIP.