Introduction
Session Initiation Protocol or SIP trunking is an effective solution for enterprises upgrading to a unified digital communications infrastructure that supports the demands of today’s hybrid workforce. In a recent report, industry analysts project that the global wholesale SIP market will reach $8.02 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 12.5%.
[Image source: Data Bridge Market Research]
As the demand for IP-based communication grows, CPaaS platforms, contact center providers and telecom resellers are discovering that choosing the right wholesale SIP trunk providers makes it easier to scale, support clients, maintain service quality levels, and build lasting revenue.
What Makes Wholesale SIP Different from Retail SIP?
Wholesale SIP trunk providers make it possible for resellers and managed service providers to purchase SIP trunk services in bulk volumes, for onward sale to end customers. Typically, wholesale SIP targets carriers, resellers, or large enterprises with sophisticated telecommunication requirements. These would involve higher call volumes, a greater number of call channels, and larger amounts of concurrent calls.
Wholesale SIP trunk providers will typically offer customized pricing schemes, with volume-based pricing available through negotiation, and often with tiered discounts based on usage. In a wholesale scenario, resellers deal directly with the provider, using a customizable service model that features detailed Service Level Agreements (SLAs), access to specialist resources like Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and in-depth technical support.
Direct interconnects with wholesale SIP trunk providers allow resellers to avoid the middlemen typically associated with retail SIP. For retail, providers typically offer standardized packages with fixed prices to small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) having lower call volumes and less complex needs. Retail SIP is also less scalable than wholesale, with more limitations on adding or removing lines.
Key Features to Demand from a Wholesale SIP Provider
The wholesale SIP trunk providers that you consider should offer a set of features that includes the following:
Carrier-Grade Uptime and Redundancy
A reliable provider will ensure that your voice communications are consistently available, minimizing the risk of dropped calls or service disruptions. The provider should offer a high uptime percentage (look for at least 99.99%) and minimal downtime, using a robust network with multiple points of presence (POPs) and redundant connections to minimize disruption risk.
Tier-1 networks provide the highest quality service levels, minimizing call drops, latency issues, and other connectivity problems. So look for wholesale SIP trunk providers that maintain direct connections to multiple Tier-1 carriers, rather than relying on secondary network access. You should also favor wholesale SIP trunk providers with advanced network monitoring capabilities and real-time performance reporting. Providers offering detailed network performance metrics and proactive communication will help identify and resolve potential issues before they can adversely affect your customers.
Competitive CLI and NCLI routing
CLI (Calling Line Identification) routes ensure that the person receiving your call sees your caller ID in its true form. However, some countries impose restrictions on CLI routes.
NCLI (or Non-CLI) routing is important to SIP, as it enables calls to be routed without displaying the caller’s number to the called party. This can be useful for call center operations, privacy protection, and in dealing with restrictions on gray routes in certain countries.
From a cost perspective, while Least Cost Routing (LCR) aims to find the cheapest route for a call, it may not always give priority to CLI. In such cases, NCL may be the more suitable option. While NCLI routes may not always offer the same quality as CLI, they can be more cost effective – especially in situations where the caller ID is not a primary concern.
To optimize your overall budget, you should therefore seek out wholesale SIP providers that offer competitive rates for both CLI and NCLI routing.
Flexible Interconnect and Porting Process
Good wholesale SIP trunk providers will offer fully automated SIP provisioning that’s immediately accessible through self-service portals. These platforms should enable instant ordering of Direct Inward Dials (DIDs) and real-time number porting without manual intervention. Look for platforms that deliver instant confirmation of service activation and immediate access to management tools upon completion.
Flexible interconnections should be available using real-time configuration tools that allow resellers to make immediate adjustments to SIP trunk settings and VoIP based on changing business requirements. This might for example occur via intuitive web portals with options for scaling channel capacity up or down, modifying call routing options, or implementing new features.
For number porting, leading wholesale SIP trunk providers now offer zero-disruption porting processes that maintain business continuity throughout transitions. The best services will handle all regulatory paperwork, carrier coordination, and technical implementation details, and keep you informed during the process. Look for advanced porting solutions that include automated status tracking, estimated completion timelines, and proactive communication about any potential delays or requirements.
Global Coverage and Failover
You should consider wholesale SIP trunk providers that offer extensive coverage, including local, national, and international numbers. This will make it easier for your customers to make inbound calls, and ensures cost-effective outbound calling across various regions.
Look for a provider with a global footprint and established partnerships with local carriers. This will enable them to offer competitive rates and seamless connectivity in the areas where you operate. You should also assess their business continuity and network failover provisions, to ensure minimal service disruption. Look for providers with robust primary infrastructure, redundant data centers, multiple carrier connections, and dedicated failover mechanisms.
Pricing Structures: Understanding What You’re Paying For
Pricing for wholesale SIP trunks typically involves either per-minute or per-channel models, with potential discounts for higher volume usage and long-term contracts.
As its name suggest, per-minute pricing charges based on the duration of calls, measured in minutes. Calling rates can vary depending on the destination of the call (domestic, international, etc.) and the provider. This pricing model is most suitable for businesses with fluctuating call volumes or unpredictable usage patterns.
Per-channel pricing charges a fixed monthly fee for each concurrent call channel you purchase. This is suitable for businesses with consistent call volumes and a need for predictable costs.
For businesses with high call volumes and a need for cost predictability, subscription or unlimited pricing offers a flat monthly fee for unlimited calling within a specific region, or for a set number of channels.
In general, you should consider wholesale SIP trunk providers that offer transparent and competitive pricing models, such as pay-as-you-go or fixed monthly rates. Take some time to evaluate the long-term cost implications of each plan, including potential hidden fees for additional services, such as number porting or international calling rates.
Wholesale SIP trunk providers that offer bundled pricing for combined services (such as SIP trunking, Unified Communications, and collaboration tools) can provide additional cost savings, and help streamline your management burden.
Red Flags When Evaluating Providers
There are a number of warning signs to look out for, when assessing the claims of wholesale SIP trunk providers.
Platforms that provide limited access to trials of their service offering probably have something to hide – so approach them with caution.
Wholesale SIP trunk providers that disclose only vague details of their routing provisions may not have the network coverage or call handling capabilities that you need.
Providers that set Inflexible thresholds or caps on call volume and channel allocation may not have the infrastructure or network capacity to handle your needs.
Unclear pricing structures, unexpected fees (e.g., for number porting or international calls), inadequate customer support, unresponsive teams, and difficulty resolving issues are major red flags.
You should also be wary of wholesale SIP trunk providers who offer weak or poorly defined SLAs, and those who are evasive about their infrastructure, security practices, or business continuity plans.
How IDT Express Supports Wholesale SIP Buyers
IDT Express offers competitive rates and a robust communications network that supports wholesale SIP buyers in a number of significant ways.
The IDT Express platform provides reliable and high-quality voice termination services, which ensure clear and reliable communication for businesses. Solutions are specifically designed to optimize communication workflows, helping businesses connect with their customers more efficiently.
With IDT Express advanced and flexible SIP trunking solutions, businesses can easily integrate their communication systems with their existing infrastructure. This approach enables businesses to scale their communication capacity as needed, and reduce infrastructure costs. SIP trunking also facilitates Unified Communications, empowering businesses to bring all communication systems together seamlessly.
IDT Express offers a wide range of virtual number solutions, including hard-to-find DID numbers. Businesses can use these numbers to enhance their communication capabilities and expand their reach. In addition, IDT Express features a real-time routing engine that provides smart DID routing. This enables businesses to route calls intelligently, and improve call efficiency.
The IDT Express Omnichannel Messaging platform enables businesses to connect with customers across various channels. These include SMS API, bulk SMS, and social media messaging integration – all of which empowers businesses to build customer journeys and effectively engage with their audience.
Pricing plans for IDT Express are highly competitive, and the platform offers transparent rate management for wholesale SIP buyers. With its broad market reach, IDT Express can support businesses with global communication needs.
For enhanced security and reliable communications, IDT employs fraud protection tools and fraud prevention measures to protect businesses from unwanted calls and messages. The platform also offers features like spam monitoring and remediation to proactively address potential issues.
A responsive support team and a range of support channels (including voice, SMS, chat, and email) are available to wholesale SIP buyers 24/7.
To find out more about how IDT express can help your business get the best from wholesale SIP trunk providers, click the link to Request a Wholesale SIP Interconnect or Custom Quote from IDT Express.
