SIP Trunking vs PRI

Have you converted to Voice over Internet Protocol yet? If so, you are probably looking for a way to integrate VoIP technology with traditional analog phone lines to enable swift incoming and outbound calls. SIP trunking and PRI are two different ways to connect your Private Branch Exchange (PBX) and other business phone systems to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).

PRI is the older connection, but it may be too soon to put it aside along with other legacy technologies. It certainly has its pros and cons, and this post will address the main concerns to help you decide on the best solution for your office.

What Is SIP Trunking

A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunk is a virtual connection that powers communication over IP networks. It can be installed and managed in-house or controlled by a third-party provider.

SIP trunking providers usually sell SIP per channel. A channel is a virtual phone line for a single call on your SIP trunk. The main goal of the session trunking service is to deliver unlimited capacity for a business to meet its communication needs.

What Is PRI

A Primary Rate Interface (PRI) is a connection that uses the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) for voice calls, data, or video chats transmission using physical copper wiring in your business.

It is sold per circuit, and each one can provide between 23 and 30 channels, depending on your potential provider and geographical region. A circuit is made of copper wires, and additional wiring can be installed to increase the number of concurrent calls over ISDN lines. It, however, requires physical installation.

What Is The Difference Between PRI and SIP Trunking?

Here are three main differences between both of these systems:

Hardware

SIP service is a virtual version of PRI. SIP trunk providers offer solutions that could be hosted or on-premise. Hosted solutions have very few hardware requirements as most of the operation is handled by the SIP provider.
On-premise solutions will require in-house installation and maintenance, but the connection is still virtual for on-site and off-site options.

A PRI setup is a physical connection, so the wiring will have to be installed depending on your business’s needs. Most companies find this option more costly.

Scalability

Your phone system should grow and adapt to your business. In some cases, the number of telephone calls expected could vary drastically due to seasonal demand, for instance. That’s why when upgrading your IP PBX, it is crucial to remember that PRI and SIP handle scaling differently.

If you’re on a hosted SIP setup, scaling can be done as easily as contacting your provider to add more channels and you’re all set. This is different in comparison to a PRI setup, because you need to get the additional circuits installed in your office.

Deploying new physical lines can be slow because there’s some planning involved to check that your building infrastructure can accommodate more circuits before the actual installation.

Reliability and Security

When your phones are down, your organization can lose money, even worse if this happens during peak demand seasons. That’s exactly why it makes sense to choose a reliable phone system that can be available round the clock.

Making use of SIP trunking allows you to reroute all calls to external channels while a team works to get your servers back online. A PRI arrangement handles downtimes similarly. The calls can be routed to other open circuits, but the business communications system will be down if all circuits are offline.

Finally, both methods are as secure as you make them. PRIs are typically considered the more secure option as they use dedicated lines not susceptible to internet hacking. But make no mistake – these copper cables can still be wiretapped during phone calls and they are not entirely impenetrable. They also don’t offer toll fraud mitigation, and there will be no spend caps or trunk suspension if PRI is used to make malicious calls on a PBX.

The security of a hosted SIP trunking setup, on the other hand, almost entirely depends a lot on the provider. It still offers security, however as it’s inherently internet-facing, the competence of your technical team will largely determine your experience and the number of security breaches you’d face.

Comparison: Pros and Cons

Let’s have a look at how each of the systems can help advance or hinder your business communication system.

Pros of SIP Trunking Service

• Enjoy the cost savings thanks to the minimal hardware required and quick scaling up or down in response to seasonal demand.
• It allows users access to an effective backup so that if any connectivity problems arise, calls can be rerouted to an appropriate failover destination while maintenance is ongoing.
• Hosted SIP trunking is retailed by providers on a per SIP channel and sometimes a per-feature basis. This helps companies tailor the offer specifically to your individual needs and gain access to the needed advanced features.

Cons of SIP Trunking

• It requires adequate internet bandwidth and a stable connection as connectivity issues can interfere with call quality.
• Quality of features, information security, maintenance, and overall quality of service can vary between providers.

That’s all about it. Now, what we have on the other side are the following the benefits and drawbacks that are worth addressing:

Pros of PRI

• It’s a physical connection, so you don’t need to rely on internet service to make a call. This also means that network downtimes won’t interrupt your calls.
• It may integrate with VoIP-based phone systems to create a hybrid structure, where domestic and international calls are handled by two different systems to maximize cost effectiveness.
• Since it uses physical circuits, the dedicated lines aren’t exposed to the internet, making them less vulnerable to hackers.
• They’re the perfect fit for small businesses that don’t have access to a strong internet connection, who don’t need many extensions.

Cons of PRI

• The physical circuits are cables of copper wires, so the upfront cost and the setup fee can be very expensive for a large business.
• The hardware requirements make it harder to scale, as a lot of planning is required. Plus, installing additional circuits can be a slow process.
• Training the IT team and maintenance of on-site hardware can be difficult to implement and business owners usually tend to avoid these complications.

Final Words

PRI and SIP trunking are two popular methods to connect your PBX system to the traditional phone lines. The former is the older system, and depending on the size and nature of your company, it can be difficult to decide between both options.

At the end, it all comes down to identifying your business growth potential and communication needs and choosing between the service providers who can adequately meet those.