Customers and partners rely on it every day. And you, in turn, use Business communication tools to ensure they are connected. These systems are to serve the needs of your teams, customers, and partners. The question is that when these needs change, you must also change.
PRI and SIP are often considered flexibility and scalability options for most business organisations. Today, they assist in accessing the telephone network, but in totally different ways.
One is the old product the local telephone company supplied, while the second is much more scalable. In this blog, we will understand PRI and SIP, their differences and which is best.
What Is PRI? PRI Pros and Cons
Primary Rate Interface (PRI) is a voice-bearer service that employs a dedicated physical line on an organization’s premises to connect to the public switched telephone network. PRI was designed as an improved solution to the POTS or the plain old telephone service that can support only one call at a time; PRI’s essential transmission capability can support up to 23 voice channels over a line.
PRI Pros
- The Primary Rate Interface is installed locally, providing more security than hosted phone system solutions.
- Since PRI directly connects to phone lines through a physical connection, users can effectively eliminate problems related to call quality inherent in VoIP phone systems, including jitter, latency, and packet loss.
- PRI does not depend on data transmission to connect to the telephone, allowing businesses to focus on other aspects of their bandwidth requirements.
PRI Cons:
- The Primary Rate Interface is implemented by buying and installing specific hardware in addition to the expenses associated with maintenance.
- While VoIP phone service is independent of a contract with a traditional phone service provider for local and long-distance calls, PRI mainly requires it.
- Signing up for new phone lines involves changing the current PRI system facilities, which can take weeks or months.
PRI Use Cases
Organizations that require separate lines, clear daily voice calls or support old connection models should consider PRI for their business call requirements. Some applications for PRI systems include:
i. Critical Communication Needs
Many sectors, such as medical, fire, police, and other lifesaving services, require clear, uninterrupted voice communication. These organizations benefit from a PRI system, which may provide the uncompromised communication they require during a disastere.
ii. Narrow Reach Areas
PRI systems may guarantee stable voice communications for enterprises in regions with weak or unstable internet connections. Since lines are dedicated physical connections., they are not affected by internet shutdowns or network instability.
iii. Legacy Phone Systems
In recent years, there have been millions of enterprises out there that have invested in existing on-premises Private Branch exchange or PBX or traditional telephone systems. PRI systems integrate with regular POTS lines, enabling businesses to implement new, more sophisticated solutions while maintaining the use of the infrastructure they already have.
What Is SIP Trunking? Pros and Cons
SIP trunking effectively utilises the technical platform SIP, which offers virtual line availability of the PSTN. Through this, the exchange of voice calls and other business information can be transmitted centrally without additional local infrastructure. It operates by converting voice call signals to data and transmitting them through Internet Protocol (IP), hence unleashing the capability of possessing as many voice channels as possible and handling several calls simultaneously.
SIP Trunking Pros:
- SIP trunking can be carried out with UC platforms and allows the transmission of multimedia data, such as instant messages and video calls.
- Like any other VoIP application that interfaces with existing SS7/PSTN telephony equipment, SIP trunking does not require high initial installation costs.
- SIP trunking gives limitless local and long-distance call services and services a business channel foundation, thus confining communication costs.
- SIP phones and their features are available over an internet connection, which helps businesses address mobile and remote employees.
- SIP systems are not dependent on additional hardware or wires, making them easy to implement and integrate anytime.
SIP Trunking Cons:
- QoS for SIP systems depends on available bandwidth; businesses may be forced to improve on the internet service provider.
- SIP systems work over IP internet connections. Hence, further features, especially firewall features, may be incorporated to enhance the security of such systems.
- Adopting an internet-based phone system may involve a lengthy learning process for some employees, as they may have to get used to using the internet for their phone communications.
SIP Trunking Use Cases
As you can tell, SIP trunking is a very flexible solution that can help any business make the switch. Some everyday use cases for SIP trunking include:
i. Multi-Site Organizations
SIP trunking is applied in organizations with numerous outlets or branch offices to connect all these points. SIP trunking replaces having individual phone connections and links between each site and provides a cheaper means for staff in the different sites to communicate.
ii. Reduced Communication Costs
Organizations migrating to SIP trunking services are estimated to save between 40% and 60% on TCO.2 They use IP infrastructure. In addition, the lower costs of long-distance and International calls through SIP systems can produce considerable economic benefits, especially for organizations with International operations.
iii. Work-From-Anywhere Teams
Flex-work arrangements are here to stay, yet most companies find it challenging to support them using on-premise telephony solutions such as PBX systems. SIP trunking enables employees to log into the business phone system using their mobile gadgets or a softphone and conduct conversations wherever they are.
PRI vs. SIP Trunking: A Comparison
PRI and SIP trunking let businesses communicate with the outside world, but they are different. Here’s a comparison of how these technologies measure against each other:
i. Cost
SIP trunking systems are usually comparatively cheaper than PRI for some reasons: SIP trunks eliminate the need for infrastructure and maintenance, and the long-distance and international rates are generally cheaper, mainly if your business is in a category that makes frequent long-distance and international calls.
PRI systems need copper-wired phone lines; thus, they are always costly for installation and maintenance compared to SIP trunks. Further, long-distance or international charges may also be higher than PRI calls.
ii. Scalability
Using SIP trunking, communication tied to the organization can easily be scaled since voice channels can be increased or decreased.
PRI technology offers a limited channel capacity per line, with 23 channels for T1 PRI and 30 channels for E1 PRI. It is often linked to expanding your capacity; additional physical lines are usually needed.
iii. Reliability
SIP trunks can be assured to provide high reliability for business communication if they are supported by the right network design and high-quality internet. Additional links, such as backup channels and failover provisions, can reduce time loss. At the same time, SLAs may specify the uptime and response time you will likely receive from your provider.
A PRI line is generally characterized by stable call quality and less dependence on problems concerning Internet connection. Also, PRI systems have an option for a second line in case one of them becomes damaged or is no longer available for use by the business.
iv. Compatibility
SIP is compatible with modern IP phones, most newly-developed IP-PBX or VoIP systems, and third-party applications.
A PRI connection works with old PBX systems, so a PRI line is ideal for keeping the current telephone system.
V. Flexibility
SIP trunks can connect with UC platforms, allowing features of voice, video, messaging, and collaboration. Thus, you can offer employees and customers end-to-end interactions through different modes and gadgets.
Despite offering significant features, PRI service ensures voice connections but cannot be integrated as effectively as SIP trunking solutions.
vi. Security
Calls on SIP can be susceptible to security attacks, such as toll fraud or call tapping. Security solutions, such as SBCs and protocols, can block these attacks.
Because PRI systems are on the physical circuit, they are not as vulnerable to threats in the IP network domain. PRI lines are protected or shielded from internet attacks, but you still need to take physical security measures in anticipation of intrusions into your telephone lines and networks.
Choosing Between PRI and SIP Trunking
The decision between PRI and SIP Trunking should be based on several factors, including the size of your business, expected call volume, existing infrastructure, and budget. PRI might be the better option for businesses with high call volumes and need reliable, secure communication. SIP Trunking could be ideal for those looking for more flexibility and cost efficiency.
Final Words - PRI and SIP Trunking
Selecting the appropriate communication technology is essential for every business. While PRI offers reliability and quality, SIP Trunking offers flexibility and cost-efficiency. Understanding your business’s specific needs and capabilities is key to making the right decision. Furthermore, as businesses evolve and technologies advance, the choice between PRI and SIP Trunking may depend on current needs and anticipating future requirements.
Businesses must consider their growth trajectory, potential changes in telecommunication technology, and the increasing importance of seamless integration with cloud-based services.
FAQ's
Q1. What is the main difference between PRI and SIP Trunking?
PRI relies on a physical link for communication, while SIP trunking transmits multiple data types over the Internet.
Q2. Which option is more budget-friendly, PRI or SIP Trunking?
SIP Trunking generally tends to be more budget-friendly, particularly for companies with varying call volumes.
Q3. Can SIP Trunking replace PRI completely?
Depending on the business needs, SIP Trunking can replace PRI, primarily if the business seeks flexibility and integration with other digital services.
Q4. Is PRI more secure than SIP Trunking?
Due to its direct connection to the PSTN and lack of dependency on the internet, PRI is often seen as more secure.
Q5. How does the scalability of SIP Trunking benefit businesses?
SIP Trunking allows businesses to scale up or down quickly without significant infrastructure changes, which is ideal for growing companies.
