Tips for a Successful SIP Trunk Migration

SIP trunking takes multiple communication methods and intertwines them into one streamlined, cost-effective system. When you have decided that your company can benefit from this VoIP system protocol, it is time to begin SIP trunk migration. Here are some tips to help you with this complex process.

Plan Thoroughly

Before you can begin the SIP trunk migration, you must be thorough in the planning stage. Take a complete inventory of your current infrastructure, including DIDs and voice circuits, by reviewing your billing statements and/or installation records. Next, you need to figure out how all of these components are used. An SIP trunk can only handle so many phone calls, and you want to make sure you install enough SIP trunks to handle yours.

Be Ready for Important Decisions 

While SIP trunking does bring substantial flexibility to your VoIP system, you need to be prepared for some key decision points that will come up during the migration process:

• What is more important to you: superior call quality or a reduced bandwidth?
• Are you going to choose shared MPLS circuits or opt for dedicated ones?
• What are your plans for the analog items that are no longer paramount, such as the modems and fax machines?
• Are you going to use internal resources for the SIP trunk migration, or go with a reseller or PBX vendor?

Choose a Carrier Carefully

The carrier you choose for your SIP trunking can play a big role in how successful and affordable it is. Here are the things you need to consider when picking an SIP trunking carrier:

• What is the NPA-NXX-XXXX footprint? Does it cover the areas you require service?
• Does the carrier offer multiple linking points to prevent failed calls?
• What initial costs are required for the SIP trunk migration?
• What are the reoccurring costs you need to be prepared for?

Test Everything

Once the SIP trunk migration is complete, thorough testing is of the utmost importance. You need to know, without a doubt, that everything is working properly before you open up your VoIP system to customers. Some of the specific areas to test include:

• Inbound calls, including: standard DID, toll-free, DID with blocked numbers, DID to voicemails, and IVR
• Outbound calls, both DTMF and VoIP
• Call forwarding, extending to a mobile device, and carrier take backs and transfers
• Inbound and outbound fax capabilities

The more thoroughly you plan and prepare, the more successful your SIP trunk migration will be. Once it is intact, your company will be able to reap the many rewards that SIP trunking can bring to your VoIP system. To learn more about how Top Line Communications can assist with your SIP trunk migration, contact us now.