25 April 2020

Difference Between SIP and VoIP

If you are evaluating new business phone systems, you may be wondering what the difference is between session initiation protocol and VoIP, and which is the best. SIP is the right choice for some companies, but the VoIP isn't a robust enough solution for many businesses today. This article gives information about the difference between SIP and VoIP to better understand this topic.

Definition od SIP:

SIP stands for Switching to internet-based Phones, SIP is the protocol used to initiate, maintain, and terminate multimedia communication sessions in VoIP applications. SIP protocols support signaling and control of voice, video, and messaging applications. 

Definition of VoIP:

VoIP stands for voice over internet protocol, It is a broad term that covers any telephone communication over the internet, as opposed to traditional landlines otherwise is known as the PSTN.

The main key difference between SIP and VoIP are listed below:

  • SIP is an application layer of the protocol that is used to establish, modify and terminate multimedia sessions as VoIP calls. VoIP means making or receiving phone called over the internet or internal networks.
  • SIP is signalling protocol used within the VoIP umbrella, VoIP is not discrete technology in its own right. It is actually a family of technologies used within modern telecommunication networks uses.
  • VoIP hosts handle traffic differently to SIP systems. SIP systems are processed by the individual system located on each users systems. This peer to peer style system can handle a large amount of data and traffic as its users have access to much more bandwidth and resources. VoIP hosts, on the other hand, filter, organize and direct traffic from one central network. 
  • VoIP sens only voice message, SIP can carry all form of media, not just voice message, SIP can carry all form of media, not just voice message. SIP system allow users to make voice and video called online, often for free.
  • The main benefits of SIP over VoIP protocols is that it has the ability to interact intelligently with other protocol. It is fast, flexible, scalable to meet specific user needs.
  • VoIP handsets and SIP handsets also vary. VoIP handsets, often referred to as VoIP phones, must be connected to the computer in order to make or receive calls. SIP phones are able to perform without the need for a computer device. They only require a modem device to be able to work.  A SIP phone is more like a traditional phone as, unlike a the use of VoIP device, it can function independently of a computer.

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