How to connect a SIP phone yourself?

How to connect a SIP phone?

The transition of administrative, commercial and other organizations from analog to Internet telephony is an established trend. This communication format provides many advantages, creates conditions for effective business management, improving commercial performance. The main thing is to choose and configure software and hardware correctly. How to connect a SIP phone? What recommendations should be followed when choosing?

Advantages

Before studying the intricacies of connection and configuration, you should familiarize yourself in more detail with the advantages of innovative communication technology. They look like this:

• Cost optimization. The price of SIP is significantly lower in comparison with analog lines. The difference is especially noticeable if we consider international calls. Communication with subscribers from the same network is free, regardless of its scale or geographic location.
• No geographic restrictions. The system can be used in any region. The main condition is a stable Internet connection, no other restrictions are assumed.
• High quality communication. Speech transmission is as clear as possible, without clicks, wheezing and other defects typical of analog lines.
• Ease of connection. No need to pull kilometers of wires, install numerous network components. In general, you can even do without a special SIP phone, limiting yourself to its software analogue, a softphone installed on a PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone.
• Universality. The method is suitable not only for classic voice calls, but also for video calls, transfer of text, multimedia files, documents, photos, videos.
• Multifunctionality. Modern SIP phones support a lot of functions useful for business. It is possible to use voice assistants, answering machines, automated call recording, etc.
• Minimal network load. High speed, expensive tariff plans are not required - a modest 64 kilobits per second is enough for voice communication.

According to reports from global statistical agencies, the SIP telephony market is steadily strengthening, with annual turnover approaching $30 billion. Organizations that want to improve their commercial performance, expand their customer base, and get ahead of competitors should master the technology.

Classification

SIP phones are presented in two main categories, hardware and software. In the first case, we are talking about models that are as similar as possible to conventional stationary devices. They are equipped with keys, handsets, and other characteristic elements. The classes of such equipment are different, from inexpensive budget versions with limited functionality, aimed at junior managers, to premium ones - with an original design, advanced capabilities.

Software SIP phones do not have a physical embodiment. In fact, they are applications designed for Windows, Android, iOS and other operating systems. Like hardware counterparts, they differ in the edition, which can be paid or free, interface features, basic or auxiliary functions.

Recommendations for selection

Of course, you should choose a SIP phone not by design and price, but by functionality and basic characteristics so that they meet the needs of the organization as a whole, and a specific user in particular. The most significant parameters are as follows:

• Memory card support. This allows you to get the memory reserve necessary for recording, storing conferences, conversations and other useful information for further study and analysis.
• Display. The simplest models do not have a screen. LED indication is used for notifications, and physical keys are used for control. They are suitable for junior managers and other specialists with a limited range of responsibilities. Advanced devices are equipped with screens, color and monochrome, standard and touch, which simplifies control and reading the necessary information.
• Phone book capacity. Determines the number of numbers stored, which can be measured in hundreds or thousands.
• The quality of voice transmission and playback. If this is very important, it is worth choosing models that support special functions, for example, Smart Noise Filtering, an intelligent algorithm that eliminates interference and noise.

If we talk about brands, it is more rational to choose SIP phones of proven brands, even if they are more expensive than little-known analogues. The price in this case is 100% compensated by reliability, compatibility with other IP equipment that forms the company's network infrastructure. To simplify the connection of wired SIP phones, you should choose models that support PoE technology, eliminating the need to lay additional power lines. Voltage is supplied directly through the network wire.

Connection and setup

Specific instructions are determined by the brand and model of the device, software solution, however, in a general sense, they are very similar. The main stages should be considered in detail in order to connect independently, without errors and unnecessary waste of time.

Connection to the Internet

First of all, the device needs to be connected to the network. There are several ways:

• Via wire, using a router or other device with network access. The most popular method, providing high signal transmission speed, its protection from external loads, electromagnetic fields, radio interference. The probability of a connection failure tends to zero, can only be associated with particularly serious failures.
• Via Wi-Fi. The main advantage of the method is mobility. A SIP phone can be moved around the facility without the risk of connection loss.
• Via a cellular network. Even 3G networks are more than enough for voice calls. An important point is that a direct connection to a cellular network is not used; SIP phones are not equipped with SIM card slots. The function of an intermediate, intermediary link between the communication device and the network is performed by a 3G, 4G, or LTE router.
• Via cloud telephony. This service is now offered by many companies specializing in communication services. There are many tariff plans, and choosing the best solution that is balanced in price, speed, and additional functions will not be a problem.

Configuring a phone

There are many configuration options, but regardless of the scheme used, you need to first outline the basic points. They look like this:

• The address of the server that acts as an intermediary when connecting a SIP phone. The relevant information must be provided by the organization with the help of which cloud, virtual telephony is organized, or by the system administrator.
• The name of the account, the client using the equipment. It is an individual identifier, allows you to successfully complete the authorization procedure.
• Password. Confirms the powers and rights of the user of the Internet telephony system, or a specific device included in its structure.

In addition to the main ones, additional settings may be required, determined by a specific connection. For example, if it is necessary to use the channel bandwidth as rationally as possible, compress data before transmission, you need to correctly configure the codecs.

The transport protocol used by the SIP phone is also indicated, be it TLS, TCP or UDP, a proxy server, additional identifiers.

Configuring a virtual PBX

First of all, you need to create an employee account, specify the data that he will use for authorization, and specify the routing parameters that determine the specifics of call distribution.

Additional functions

Before the communication equipment is connected, you need to clearly define the list of auxiliary functions that will be useful for the business. The most popular and in-demand ones are as follows:

• Answering machine. You can specify the dial tone number after which it is triggered. A client who is unable to reach the required specialist will hear a corresponding notification, as well as an offer to transfer to a free operator, leave a message for a return call.
• Black list. Blocks incoming calls from certain numbers. This increases the overall reliability of SIP and is an active tool in the fight against intruders and fraudsters who are trying to bring down a company's communication system by overloading it with calls.
• Automatic dialing. SIP phones automatically contact customers, notify them of new offers, special offers, and products available at good discounts.
• Analytics. The devices keep a log of incoming and outgoing calls, identify the most relevant topics for customers, and in-demand products and services. Analytics helps adjust the organization's product range to meet demand, eliminate shortages, and improve financial performance.

Number selection

You can use a SIP phone only if you have the appropriate number. Choosing the right one is one of the foundations of the efficiency of the entire telephony system. For example, to organize communication between individual specialists, departments of the company, you can use short numbers to increase the level of trust from clients, better memorability of digital combinations - federal or “beautiful”, with repeating numbers, their mirror arrangement.

Author of the article:

Editor-in-Chief

Danaev Almaz