SIP Trunking requires an existing broadband connection and an existing PBX to function properly.

Knowing what you need is important if you intend to use SIP Trunking to merge both your current IP PBX and your connections to PSTN lines. The best answer is really to look at the IP PBX itself.

Is your bandwidth good enough?

This probably the first (and most practical) question to ask. Most people still think that poor quality of a call or a conference is the fault of the VoIP system. But in reality, your bandwidth has a big part to play in the quality of your calls (just like any other internet-based function). You could invest in the best IP PBX with state-of-the-art SIP Trunking, but if your bandwidth doesn’t cut it, you’re losing out on your investment. Run speed tests and try to pinpoint what’s really using your conection. Maybe put some policies in place to keep it under control and to ensure there is ample bandwidth for your VoIP service.

What’s your plan for handling inbound calls?

It sounds like an innocent question, but think twice before answering. Remember, the strength of SIP Trunking lies in its capacity to keep you open to PSTN calls in addition to calls from a VoIP network. There’s little point in that if you don’t have a solid structure for incoming calls. The technology can direct and convert these calls with ease, but managing them is still up to you. How can you make it so that customers always get the assistance they’re calling for? How many times are they being re-routed before they are connected to the right person or department? Make sure technology isn’t just easy for your business but also easy for the people it serves.