The Differences Between Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Primary Rate Interface (PRI) Described

While digital signals are used by both protocols, the latter has the advantage of letting you tailor the phone system to your own business requirements.

However,, before deciding which is best for you, it helps to educate yourself on both possibilities.

Primary Rate Interface

How Do You Define PRI?

The interface standard known as PRI (Primary Rate Interface) is connected to voice data transmission over a dedicated line.

Circuit switched audio calls between individuals in disparate locations are made possible by PRI.

* A firm can use up to 23 voice channels simultaneously at any given moment with PRI.

* These 23 channels can be accessed by several users on a designated network; PBXs (Private Branch Exchanges) or IP PBXs are required hardware.

* However, only 23 DID (Direct Inward Dialing) numbers will be active at any given moment if a company has 50 operational DID numbers. It will increase your overhead to need more PRI circuits in order to make all the numbers available.

The service provider for the PRI is the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).

Through the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), ISDN makes it possible to transmit voice and data services digitally. Every communication device in the world is connected to the PSTN

Using the PSTN, you can make calls to anyone in the world, no matter what kind of device the recipient has. After ISDN was introduced, the PSTN, which had previously offered analog transmission, underwent digitalization to offer a faster, higher-quality, and more affordable service.

Session Initiation Protocol

By establishing a virtual network between the PBX and the carrier's SIP network, Session Initiation Protocol, also known as SIP Trunking, allows voice data to be transmitted over an already-existing network data line.

Put otherwise, it passes through an IP network. For voice calling, it makes use of a packet switched model.

Instead of using a traditional PBX, the system makes use of an IP PBX (unless it is compatible with the SIP framework). This is mostly because VoIP is being used instead of PSTN. An IP PBX connects the local area network (LAN) and public internet.

Similar to this, voice data is transmitted to the selected IP PBX by the equipment at the service provider's end. In the event that the primary number is unresponsive, data packets are rerouted to another pre-arranged number.

Supporting Structure for SIP

Your current data transfer setup is used by SIP. SIP is not provided in a pre-configured connection bundle like PRI is.

Businesses can purchase call pathways or enhance the bandwidth of their current data line based on their specific needs.

Businesses can be independent of bundle services like PRI by utilizing SIP. The unused bandwidth is dispersed around the network for alternative uses if fewer calls are made than the capacity. This guarantees no resource wastage and a more effective network.