Hotel owners are uniquely placed to benefit from cutting-edge communications systems. The majority of guests own smartphones, but they also have high expectations when it comes to the systems and devices provided in hotel rooms. If you’re a hospitality business owner looking to impress your customers and enhance their experience, it’s worth investigating SIP trunking. 

What exactly is SIP trunking? A brief overview

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking is a form of VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, which provides a modern, efficient, cost-effective alternative to traditional phone lines. With SIP trunking, the Internet essentially replaces the carrier line and information is delivered by connecting the private branch exchange (PBX) to the Internet. A SIP trunk can process an array of data types, including voice data, instant messages and video content. From making and taking calls to hosting video conferences, this technology caters to a wide range of clients. 

Why is SIP trunking beneficial for hotels and hospitality?

Today’s guests have different expectations to those in generations gone by. As technology has evolved and developed, customers are looking to take advantage of a digital experience, which enables them to stay connected and benefit from features that enhance the quality and enjoyment of their stay. When staying at a hotel, a client doesn’t just want to be able to pick up the phone to make a room service request. They also want to be able to engage with the outside world, to work on the go and to interact with hotel staff. Traditional phone systems don’t offer the digital features guests have become accustomed to, and this is why upgrading systems deliver rewards.

SIP trunking offers several key benefits for hotel owners and businesses operating within the hospitality industry, including:

• Cost savings: VOIP offers both short-term and long-term savings, providing you with a more cost-effective means of enabling your guests to stay connected. From the moment you start using your new system, you’ll reduce spending.

• Seamless setup: with SIP trunking, you don’t have to go through complex stages and processes to get the telephone system up and running. You can use your existing hardware and PBX. 

• Affordable call costs: using SIP trunking cuts the costs of local, national and international calls.

• Scalability: you can expand and develop your new system in line with your business objectives. As your hotel chain or hospitality business grows, you can scale up the system by increasing bandwidth. According to research, it is estimated that there will be 3 billion VOIP users in the world by 2021. 

• Smart technology and hassle-free integration: guests can connect their phones to the hotel system, as well as taking advantage of mobile-friendly features. This is a key driver of digital user experience. 

• Pay for calls, rather than phones: if you run a chain of hotels, you might be worried about the cost of funding multiple phones. With SIP trunking, you pay for calls, rather than devices, lowering charges and ensuring you don’t pay for services that you don’t use. Guest room phones do not need to be replaced.

Switching to SIP trunking

If you’re not familiar with modern telephone systems, it’s understandable to assume that the process of switching from a traditional phone line to cutting-edge VOIP technology is complex. The truth is that it couldn’t be simpler. If you choose to take this step, you don’t have to replace your current system. Your existing hardware and PBX will remain in place. 

Is your hotel ready to upgrade?

Hotel guests are looking for a comfortable bed, a tasty breakfast, excellent leisure facilities and a friendly welcome, but they also have high expectations when it comes to keeping in touch. Both business and leisure customers are searching for simple, affordable, seamless ways to stay connected during their stay. Dated telephone systems can reflect poorly on your brand and contribute to clients docking points when rating their stay. By upgrading systems and embracing SIP trunking, hotel and hospitality businesses can elevate the experience, compete with rivals and increase the chances of guests returning and leaving positive reviews. With technology playing an increasingly integral role in the way we communicate, it has never been more crucial to provide guests and clients with an efficient, cost-effective means of staying connected. If you’re looking to improve your ratings, to attract new customers and to drive your business forward, upgrading your phone system could be an ingenious idea. 

Summary

If you’re not familiar with SIP trunking, you could be missing a trick. Today, hotel guests are keen to get online the moment they arrive, and they want to be able to keep in touch at all times. SIP trunking is a cutting-edge solution, which cuts costs, improves the quality of calls, provides greater diversity in terms of data delivery and enhances the customer’s digital experience.