What’s the Difference between VoIP Gateway and SIP Trunk?

Update Time：2019-11-29 14:19:36　Browse Times：4392　Amount Downloads：1

What is SIP Trunking?

SIP trunking is a method by which business phone systems can operate using an internet connection instead of a traditional phone line. It replaces traditional telephone lines or PRIs (Primary Rate Interface). It uses VoIP to connect a PBX between the internet and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), replacing a traditional "phone trunk" such as a PRI or analog line. 

SIP trunking is provided by SIP providers, which are similar to traditional phone companies, except SIP providers give access to phone lines over the Internet (and SIP service is significantly less expensive – sometimes as much as 60-80% less).

SIP trunks are virtual phone lines that enable users to make and receive phone calls over the internet to anyone in the world with a phone number. SIP trunks utilize a packet switch network, in which voice calls are broken down into digital packets and sent across a network to the final destination.

Today you can buy a SIP trunk from an ITSP (Internet Telephony Service Provider) and connect it to your VoIP/IP PBX. SIP trunks use the SIP standard. The name ‘trunk’ comes from the telecom world and it means, more or less, a group of phone lines.

How Does SIP Trunking Work?

The PSTN is a circuit switched network, which requires a physical connection between two points to complete a call. SIP Trunking eliminates the physical connection to a phone company. There are no hardware, wiring, or circuit boxes to maintain for connection to the phone service provider.
A SIP trunk is installed virtually over your business’s existing internet connection, therefore replacing the need for traditional analog phone lines.

Reducing multiple phone lines into a single point of entry drastically reduce charges for incoming lines and the IT cost associated with the maintenance of those lines. 

What’s the Pros and Cons of SIP Trunking

Compared with traditional phone lines, SIP trunking has the following benefits and disadvantages. 
Pros:
-  More cost-effective for businesses
-  Scales quickly and service can easily be modified
-  Connections are virtual, so no physical lines
Cons:
-  Quality of Service (QoS) is not guaranteed, for Internet connections may introduce lag and delay if not configured correctly or bandwidth is insufficient 
-  Does not work natively with older analog or digital phones

What is a VoIP Gateway?

A VoIP gateway is a device which converts telephony traffic into IP for transmission over a data network. 
The VoIP gateway allows to make calls via VoIP. Calls can then be placed via a VoIP service provider, or in a company with multiple offices, interoffice calling costs can be reduced by routing the calls via the Internet. VoIP gateways are available as external units. A VoIP gateway has a connector for the IP network and one or more ports to connect the phone lines to it.

How Does a VoIP Gateway Work with SIP Trunks When without an IPPBX

As a matter of fact, there are multiple application scenarios for VoIP gateways working with SIP trunks. Here just take a diagram to show a typical deployment. 
Take a look at this diagram on SIP trunking via a VoIP gateway:
Take a look at any Analog PBX and you will notice FXO ports on the actual PBX. An FXS gateway can be connected to FXO ports of an analog PBX in a 1 to 1 type setting. Meaning, if the analog PBX has 8 FXO ports, you need an 8 port FXS gateway to connect to the SIP trunks. 

Benefits of VoIP Gateways 

Compared with traditional PBX, VoIP gateways have the following benefits.
In a traditional network to SIP deployment, a gateway significantly reduces operating costs by connecting a legacy business phone system with dynamic SIP trunking services. SIP to traditional network deployments use a gateway to connect a modern SIP communications system with digital or analog service from legacy carriers.
Additional benefits include built-in business continuity features, network consolidation, and Unified Communications features like video, presence, application integration, and instant messaging.

New Rock VoIP Gateways

New Rock MX series gateways can process up to 96 simultaneous VoIP calls, and support G.711, G.729A, G.722, G.723, G.168 echo cancellation, RFC2833 and SIP INFO for DTMF transmission, T.38 fax relay, and more.
HX4G analog gateway: 2-4 FXS/FXO
MX8G analog gateway: 8 FXS/FXO
MX60E analog gateway: 8-48 FXS/FXO
MX120G analog gateway: 48-96 FXS/FXO

MX100G-S SIP-ISDN trunking gateway: 1-4 T1/E1

For more information, contact us at global@newrocktech.com or leave an online message.