Unified Communications & IP Phone Systems

IP Telephony Explained

IP Telephony can be broken up into two key parts – Trunks and Handsets.

Trunks; The telephone trunk is the connection to the outside world. Therefore an IP Trunk is a connection using the TCP/IP suite of protocols, which is the communications protocol of nearly all business networks and the internet. IP trunks use what is known as a Session Initiated Protocol (or SIP) to connect from point to point, thus providing a connection. Telephone conversations (or Voice calls) are converted to data packets and are translated from point A to point B using the SIP protocol. Quality of Service (QoS) is a means by which IP equipment between point A and point B can monitor and ensure a given quality of connection, thus clarity of voice. Some Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) offer SIP connections whilst others don’t. You will need to check the service is available and that your internet connection is suitable before using IP telephony. SIP Trunks can be brought into traditional telephone systems along side other traditional trunks such as PSTN & ISDN. Programming within the PBX equipment can ensure the appropriate trunk is chosen for each call placed. This is a process called Least Cost Routing. Making SIP calls does not require an IP Handset.

Handsets; IP handsets are connected to the site’s main equipment via Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling being Cat-5 as a minimum. The main equipment typically provides power to the handset via Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches. This same equipment also issues an IP address to the handset on boot up. Like computers on a Local Area Network (LAN) every handset is issued a unique IP address. This IP address allows all handsets within a network to be uniquely identified. Most LANs are connected to the Internet, known as the Wide Area Network (or WAN). Thus, IP phones are able to connect directly with other IP phones via the WAN. This is the main feature an IP handset has over using traditional digital proprietry handsets. A real world example might be a national organisation that has offices in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Each handset can connect to another via the WAN in what is essentially an ‘internal call’. In doing so, telecommunication costs for the connection are reduced. Note however that the call is not ‘free’, because it requires an internet connection and an VoIP Service Provide (ISP) – neither of which come ‘free’.

Note; in the case of IP Telephony, the main equipment means an IP PBX, and may include modems, routers, & switches.

MATRIX Telecom

Our Matrix phone systems provide SIP Trunks and IP Handsets. Furthermore, you can choose from our extensive range of IP handsets from all of the best manufacturers in the world. These include Matrix, Cisco, Polycom, Grandstream, & Snom just to name a few.

Link to our Matrix Small Business PBX solutions

Link to our Enterprise Matrix Enterprise solutions

CISCO Solutions

The Cisco Unified Communications 500 PBX Series for Small Business provides the following features:

Voice: Use advanced communications capabilities including telephone call processing, voicemail, automated attendant, and conferencing functions to respond to customers faster and save money on long-distance charges

Video: Conduct face-to-face meetings through video calls with Cisco Unified Video Advantage (requires Cisco USB Camera)

Wireless: Help staff be more productive and collaborate better through access to applications and information from anywhere they work

Productivity: Integrate with existing desktop productivity applications such as calendar, email, and customer relationship management programs

Secure Routing: Reduce business risks associated with viruses and other security threats

Unified Communications 500 Series Brochure

Our Range of IP Phones