How SIP Trunking Pricing Works
SIP trunking replaces traditional phone lines (PRI, POTS) with internet-based voice connections. While the technology is straightforward, the pricing can be confusing because providers structure their plans differently. Understanding the core components of SIP trunking pricing is the first step to avoiding overpaying.
Core Pricing Components
Regardless of provider, SIP trunking costs break down into four main areas:
Channels (Concurrent Calls)
A channel represents one simultaneous call. Some providers charge per channel, others include unlimited channels. A 10-person office typically needs 3-5 channels.
Minutes (Usage)
Per-minute rates for outbound and inbound calls. Rates vary by destination -- domestic US/Canada calls are cheapest, while international rates depend on the country.
DIDs (Phone Numbers)
Direct Inward Dialing numbers cost $1-3/month each. Local, toll-free, and international numbers each have different pricing. Number porting is often free.
Features & Add-Ons
E911 service, call recording, failover routing, and CNAM caller ID are common add-ons. Some providers include these free; others charge extra.
Three Main Pricing Models
| Model | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Per-Channel | Fixed monthly fee per channel (concurrent call), may include minutes | High-volume, predictable usage |
| Per-Minute | No channel fee, pay only for minutes used | Variable usage, cost control |
| Unlimited | Flat rate per user/line with unlimited domestic calling | Small businesses wanting simplicity |
Key Insight: Most businesses save 40-60% by switching from PRI to SIP trunking. A T1 PRI circuit costs $300-500/month for 23 channels. SIP trunking delivers the same capacity for a fraction of the cost, often under $100/month for equivalent usage.
Per-Channel vs Per-Minute Pricing
The biggest pricing decision is whether to pay per channel or per minute. Each model has trade-offs, and the right choice depends on your call volume and patterns.
| Factor | Per-Channel | Per-Minute |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Channel Fee | $15-25/channel/month | $0 (unlimited channels) |
| Outbound Rate | Often included or reduced | $0.009-0.015/min |
| Inbound Rate | Usually included | $0.005-0.012/min |
| Predictability | Fixed monthly cost | Variable based on usage |
| Scalability | Must pre-purchase channels | Scales automatically |
| Low Usage Cost | Pay even if unused | Pay nothing if unused |
| High Usage Cost | Cheaper at scale | Can add up quickly |
| Common Providers | Vonage, Nextiva, legacy telcos | IPComms, Twilio, Telnyx |
When Per-Channel Makes Sense
- ✓ Your business makes thousands of minutes of calls daily on a consistent basis
- ✓ You want a fixed, predictable monthly bill with no surprises
- ✓ You have a large call center where channels run at high utilization
When Per-Minute Makes Sense
- ✓ Your call volume fluctuates by day, week, or season
- ✓ You are a small or mid-size business with moderate call volume
- ✓ You want to avoid paying for idle channels
- ✓ You need to scale up temporarily for campaigns or seasonal peaks
Recommendation: Per-minute pricing is almost always cheaper for businesses with variable call volumes. A company making 10,000 minutes/month at $0.010/min pays just $100 in usage -- far less than 10 channels at $20/channel ($200/month) for the same capacity.
Provider Pricing Comparison (2026)
Here is a side-by-side comparison of SIP trunking pricing from major providers. All rates are for US domestic calling and are approximate as of early 2026. Contact each provider for exact, current pricing.
| Provider | Channel Fee | Outbound | Inbound | DID | Contract | Setup Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPComms | $0 | $0.010/min | $0.009/min | $1.50/mo | None | $0 |
| Twilio | N/A | $0.013/min | $0.0085/min | $1.15/mo | None | $0 |
| Telnyx | $0 | $0.010/min | $0.010/min | $1.00/mo | None | $0 |
| Bandwidth | Custom | Custom | Custom | Custom | Annual | Custom |
| Vonage | $14.99/line | Included | Included | Included | Monthly | $0 |
| Nextiva | $18.95/line | Included | Included | Included | Annual | $0 |
Note: Prices shown are approximate and subject to change. Vonage and Nextiva pricing reflects their bundled UCaaS plans that include SIP trunking. Bandwidth requires a custom quote with annual commitment. Always verify current pricing directly with each provider.
Detailed Provider Comparisons
For in-depth head-to-head analysis, see our comparison pages:
Call Center Bulk Pricing
Call centers have unique requirements: high concurrent call volumes, toll-free inbound traffic, and the need for predictable costs at scale. Most SIP trunking providers offer volume discounts for high-traffic accounts.
Typical Volume Discount Tiers
| Monthly Volume | Typical Outbound Rate | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50,000 min | $0.010/min | Standard rate |
| 50,000 - 250,000 min | $0.008-0.009/min | 10-20% off |
| 250,000 - 1,000,000 min | $0.006-0.008/min | 20-40% off |
| Over 1,000,000 min | Custom pricing | Contact sales |
Special Considerations for Call Centers
- ✓ Concurrent channel capacity: Ensure your provider can handle peak call volumes without throttling. IPComms offers unlimited concurrent channels with no per-channel fees.
- ✓ Toll-free inbound costs: Inbound toll-free rates are higher than local ($0.015-0.025/min). Factor this into your budget for 800-number campaigns.
- ✓ Failover and redundancy: Downtime costs call centers thousands per hour. Look for providers with multi-datacenter failover at no extra charge.
- ✓ STIR/SHAKEN compliance: Required for outbound call centers to maintain caller ID attestation and avoid call blocking.
- ✓ Real-time reporting: Usage dashboards and CDR access help manage costs and optimize routing.
IPComms Pricing Breakdown
IPComms uses a transparent per-minute pricing model with no channel fees, no contracts, and no hidden surcharges. You pay only for what you use.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | $0/month | Unlimited concurrent calls, no per-channel fees |
| Local DID | $1.50/month | Local phone numbers from any US area code |
| Toll-Free DID | $2.00/month | 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, 833 numbers |
| Outbound USA/Canada | $0.010/min | Flat rate, no peak/off-peak differences |
| Inbound Local | $0.009/min | Calls to your local DIDs |
| Inbound Toll-Free | $0.0185/min | Calls to your toll-free numbers |
| E911 | $2.50/DID/month | Enhanced 911 emergency service |
| Setup Fee | $0 | No activation or onboarding charges |
| Contract | None | Month-to-month, cancel anytime |
| Support | Included | Email and ticket support at no extra cost |
Example Monthly Cost
A typical small business with 5 DIDs and 8,000 minutes/month:
Compare This: The same setup on a traditional PRI would cost $350-500/month. With a per-channel provider at $20/channel, you would need at least 5 channels ($100) plus DID and minute costs on top.
Tips for Saving Money on SIP Trunking
Beyond choosing the right provider and pricing model, there are several strategies to reduce your SIP trunking costs further.
1. Negotiate Volume Discounts
If you are making more than 50,000 minutes per month, you have leverage. Contact your provider and ask for custom pricing. Most providers will offer 10-30% discounts for committed volumes. Even if you are on a pay-as-you-go plan, high-volume accounts can negotiate better rates.
2. Optimize Codec Selection
Using G.729 instead of G.711 reduces bandwidth per call from 87 kbps to 31 kbps. This does not directly save on per-minute costs, but it reduces your bandwidth requirements, allowing you to run more concurrent calls on the same internet connection -- and potentially downsizing your internet plan.
3. Monitor Usage Patterns
Review your CDRs (Call Detail Records) monthly. Look for unusual spikes, international calls that could be routed more efficiently, or extensions making excessive calls. Many providers offer real-time dashboards. Set billing alerts to catch unexpected usage before it becomes a surprise on your invoice.
4. Consolidate Providers
Running SIP trunks from multiple providers adds management overhead and can prevent you from reaching volume discount thresholds. Consolidating to a single provider simplifies billing, reduces support complexity, and gives you more negotiating power for better rates.
5. Right-Size Your DIDs
Audit your phone numbers. Many businesses accumulate unused DIDs over time. Each idle number still costs $1-3/month. Cancel numbers that are not actively used or consolidate inbound routing to fewer numbers.
6. Avoid Contracts When Possible
Annual contracts may offer slightly lower rates, but they lock you in. If a better deal comes along or your needs change, you are stuck paying early termination fees. Month-to-month plans give you flexibility, and the price difference is usually minimal.
Ready to See Your Savings?
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