Business communications today are taking on a whole new role. Rather than using strictly landline phone lines, businesses are taking advantage of the ability to communicate through the IP network. SIP, or session initiated protocol, is one of the ways businesses are using this technology to their advantage. By allowing the daily business functions any business uses to go through the IP network rather than the phone line, businesses are saving time, money and receiving more functions that are easier to use. Understanding not only how SIP works but also how SIP trunking pricing works will help you make the right decision for your company.
Set-Up Fees
Each SIP provider is different when it comes to set-up fees. Some companies charge a one-time fee to get you set up, which is typically quite reasonable. Other companies do not charge a set-up fee but have higher monthly costs to recover the cost of setup without requiring you to lay out money up front.
Direct Inward Dial
If you want each of your employees to have their own phone number to make it easier for customers and vendors to reach each employee, there is a small fee per line. The cost is low and often worth it for the convenience and instant gratification it provides your customers.
Call Paths
When you look at SIP trunking pricing, you need to determine if you will need unlimited call paths or metered call paths. With unlimited call paths, as the name suggests, you get unlimited calls, both incoming and outgoing, for one cost per month. If you choose the metered call path, you will pay a set amount each month plus the cost of each phone call with a per-minute cost, which is similar to standard phone company charges.
When you compare the local phone company costs you pay now and the SIP trunking pricing you are considering switching over to, you will have a variety of decisions to make. SIP is the way of the future and is offering businesses of all sizes greater capabilities than they ever had before. You can put the days of being tied to a landline or stuck in the office waiting for an important call behind you with SIP trunking. Learning how the pricing structure works will also help you realize the money savings it can provide.
