The Transition to SIP Trunks and the Challenge of Voice Recording
6 Apr, 2011
By: Andreas PotykaIP-based communications have radically transformed the way people interact. Setting up separate infrastructures to transport voice and data traffic has become obsolete with Voice-over-IP (VoIP); one network can now handle both types leading to significant cost savings. But VoIP is just the first step in a plethora of additional features and technologies labeled Unified Communications, Collaboration, Presence, Mobility or Convergence. New fields such as Video-over-IP or Instant Messaging have brought unprecedented flexibility, increased employee productivity and convenience to the daily tasks of the enterprise.
Though many enterprises have successfully deployed a “unified communications” infrastructure within their network, the connection to the outside world is still frequently based on traditional technology. Primary Rate Interface (PRI) trunks based on time-division multiplexing (TDM) are connecting the enterprise’s PBX to the public-switched telephone network (PSTN). This media discontinuity limits the advantages of IP technology to the enterprise’s own IP network. That’s why enterprises must change the way they think about their voice networks.
SIP Trunking
Just as VoIP originally enabled the convergence of voice and data within the IP network, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking can translate this convergence externally over wide area networks (WANs) and public networks such as the Internet. SIP trunking uses VoIP technology to establish an IP-based connection between the PSTN and an enterprise’s SIP-compatible gateway or IP PBX.
The benefits of SIP trunking are numerous: enterprises can waive costly TDM trunks and gateways and avoid media discontinuity while enabling innovative capabilities to directly manage communications. For unified communications, SIP trunks deliver expandable bandwidth thus enabling a new generation of rich media services, even those operating external to the enterprise. These services include high-quality audio codecs, video telephony and IP-based collaboration. In addition, in SIP environments, bandwidth can be assigned based on the mix of applications to ensure optimal performance and avoid standard limitations on traffic.
SIP trunk solutions enable unified communications combining various applications, devices and media in a seamless manner. Voice, video, IM and collaboration, essential for daily operations, can be implemented in a secure and fail-safe manner, with traffic routed and customized according to the network, user and time of day. Session Border Controller (SBC) appliances provide critical control and security functions to deliver trusted interactive communications across IP networks, including voice, video and multimedia sessions.
Trunk-side Call Recording
Trunk-side call recording provides an easy and cost-effective method for enterprises needing to record external calls, either for compliance with government regulations or to enhance customer service. For the migration of TDM trunks to SIP trunks, enterprises must migrate the call recording system as well.
The latest VoIP recording systems fully support SIP environments and help enterprises integrate communications among call centers, branch locations and home-based agents. Integration with SBC appliances maintains call security with sophisticated call recording solutions while SIP trunk call recording helps organizations meet their compliance and quality monitoring needs cost-effectively in SIP-based environments.
ASC is a leading global provider of innovative solutions to record, analyze and evaluate multimedia-based communications. ASC’s solutions reveal vital information, enabling companies and organizations to considerably improve their value creation: contact centers enhance customer service, efficiently deploy staff and increase productivity. Financial institutions fulfill documentation requirements, achieve a higher level of legal security and reduce costs. First responders and public safety organizations enhance reactivity in emergency situations.
