Configuration of the built-in Android SIP client for calls over SIPNET using the example of HTC Desire S

To work with IP telephony, computers with softphones, IP phones and VoIP adapters of various models are used. It is also possible to use smartphones with appropriate software. This will allow you to stay connected anywhere in Russia and even the world, using mobile Internet or public Wi-Fi hotspots. Calls use basic Android capabilities and third-party applications - we will look at the most popular of them and give instructions on how to connect.

• Review of the best SIP clients for Android
• How to set up SIP on Android
• How to make calls using apps

3СХ – for Android 5.0

3CX 16.0.0 weighs 6.4 MB, but is only suitable for Android 5.0 and higher - it does not work on older devices. What is included in the functionality:

• Chat.
• Direct dialing and calling, including from the magazine.
• Integration of mobile calls with CRM.
• Call forwarding and transfer Transfer.
• Cloud storage: Google, Amazon or OVH.
• Ability to conduct WebRTC web conferences.
• Support for PUSH technology: the program goes into sleep mode to save battery power. As soon as the office phone receives a call, the application will “wake up” and notify the user about the call.
• Voicemail Voicemail, Schedule Conferences.

Supports WiFi and 3G internet connection.

Clients for other OS

You can use IP telephony not only on a computer, but also on a smartphone. The optimal SIP client for Android is 3CXPhone - VoIP/SIP phone, it can be downloaded via Google Play. The program is very functional, fast and has a pleasant interface. The disadvantage is the lack of Russian language.

If you use the Zadarma service, we recommend that you download the Zadarma application for Android from Google Play. The program is easy to configure, can show the cost of calls, and can replace a standard dialer. This is an ideal client for Zadarma, which does not load the smartphone and does not lead to rapid battery consumption. The interface is Russian, it is possible to display service information - balance, tariff, user data.

The most popular SIP client for iPhone is the 3СXPhone program. It can work with multiple accounts and has great flexibility in settings, like its Windows counterpart. It is not surprising that this SIP client has become the most popular. The ForFone client is also in demand - the program has a clear interface, allows you to communicate by voice and in chat mode. The disadvantages include the fact that it is focused on working with the SIP provider of the same name.

Comtube subscribers will be able to use applications from their provider - they can be found in the AppStore. To make calls, you need an IP-Phone program, similar to the programs for the above-mentioned platforms.

Zoiper – for Android 4.1

Russian-language Zoiper 2.8.15 weighs 22 MB and requires Android 4.1 and higher. Its peculiarity is that it is suitable for older model smartphones because it does not put a lot of load on the processor. Has a number of advantages:

• Almost no battery consumption.
• High call quality, echo cancellation and noise absorption.
• You can configure audio and video codecs for each account separately.
• The interface is clear to everyone, no additional settings are needed, choose codecs - download the application and use it.
• Deep integration into your phone: you can dial contacts from your own phone book and call log.
• Confidentiality and encryption of calls and messages using TLS, ZRTP and SRTP protocols.

Full functionality: calls to internal numbers, to SIP phones, regular phones, recording calls, messages, setting up call forwarding, the ability to hold conferences.

Supports audio codecs:

• Opus – during network outages, maintains voice quality, but reduces the sound. The more interference, the quieter it is.
• U-law and A-law with G.711 - best sound quality, but requires broadband internet. A-law is suitable for SIP operators.
• Speex (wide, ultra) – holds the sound well, the next option after A-law if you have unstable Internet.
• iLBC30 – for narrowband Internet.
• G.722 – for broadband Internet.
• G.726 – suitable for international lines.
• G.729 is needed if you have an unstable, slow Internet, then the quality and volume will not suffer.
• GSM - works better than A-law, but worse than Speex.

Video codecs for organizing video calls and conferences are VP8 and H.264.

How to set up SIP on Android

Setting up applications is not difficult. First, you need to create a user profile - go to the settings and look for the desired item there. A SIP server is registered here, for example, sip.zadarma.com or gate.telphin.ru. You need to check the SIP server address with your provider. Next, enter the login and password for the SIP ID. Sometimes you need to enter an internal number along with the login - it repeats the login. Save the settings and wait for the connection.

Some applications, such as Zoiper, use a different scheme. Here the login is entered as follows: In the case of Zadarma, it will look like Enter the password under the login, confirm the server name sip.zadarma.com. To correctly configure a particular application, use the help section on your provider’s website - the setup procedure, depending on the selected provider, may differ slightly.

The application from Zadarma, which works only with your provider, is much easier to set up - install, launch, enter the SIP ID and password, wait for the connection to be established and start making calls.

X-Lite – Bria Mobile for Android 5.0

Mobile phone developer CounterPath Corporation is releasing a paid app called Bria Mobile. The current version 5.6.2 weighs 44 MB and is suitable for Android 5.0 and above. Pros of the program:

• Push service to save battery power.
• Messages and calls to people and groups of people - this speeds up communication.
• Easily join conferences.
• High resolution video using G.729 codec.
• High quality audio codecs – G.722, Opus and SILK.
• Availability of codecs for broadband Internet.
• Works in the background: will accept a call even if another application is on.
• Video codecs H.264 or VP8 provide video images with a resolution of 720p HD.

Supports 8 languages ​​(including Russian) and Internet protocols IPv4 and IPv6, including NAT64.

Review of the best SIP clients for Android

You can turn your Android smartphone into a full-fledged IP phone in just a few minutes. Many applications have been written specifically for this, which are multifunctional “dialers”. They connect to the servers of VoIP providers, allowing you to make and receive calls from mobile and landline numbers. In this review we will touch on the most interesting and common applications:

• “X-Lite Softphone” is a powerful tool for working with IP telephony;
• “Zoiper” is a lightweight and intuitive softphone for Android;
• “CSipSimple” is an outdated but still working SIP client;
• "Linphone" is a convenient and fast client for Android;
• “Sipdroid” is a “no frills” application for most users;
• 3CX Phone is one of the most famous SIP clients;
• “Zadarma for Android” is a SIP client of the provider of the same name.

We will also touch on the issue of using the built-in SIP client, which is present on many Android smartphones.

Built-in SIP client

According to the information we have, a built-in SIP client is present on all smartphones and tablets running on the Android 4 operating system and higher. But in reality, everything turned out to be different - on some devices this functionality is missing. The reader’s task is to study your smartphone properly and try to find the menu for adding a SIP account. For example, this menu is found in devices from Xiaomi, Honor, Samsung and other manufacturers.

Most often, the menu for adding SIP accounts is located in “Settings – Applications – Calls”, where you need to find the item for adding accounts for Internet calls. To configure you will need:

• SIP server address - find it in the help section of your provider;
• Login – also known as SIP ID, which replaces a telephone number;
• Password – the password for the SIP ID is implied.

All this data can be found in the personal account of your VoIP provider. After entering the settings, you need to set a request in the settings - how calls will be made, via SIP or the traditional way.

Benefits of the built-in SIP client:

• Does not consume system resources - it works even on weak smartphones without loading the operating system and processor;
• Easy to configure - just specify three parameters;
• Does not require launching a separate application - it is built into the system and uses a standard dialing interface.

Disadvantages: it has poor functionality, is not found in all smartphones and tablets, is incompatible with some providers, and quickly drains the battery. In addition, some users note the lack of convenience, recommending using third-party applications.

To make the right choice, try both the built-in SIP client and third-party applications with additional functionality.

"X-Lite Softphone"

The “X-Lite” application from the developer CounterPath is presented only in the Windows version - there is no version for Android. But there is an alternative to it in the form of the Bria Mobile mobile application. It is paid, the free demo period is 14 days. Its capabilities:

• Group sending of text messages – for corporate mailings;
• Voice and video calls are standard functionality of any SIP clients;
• High-quality voice transmission due to high-resolution audio codecs;
• Supports any headsets and headphones with Bluetooth;
• IPV4 and IPv6 support.

The application can work with multiple service providers by switching between accounts. The interface works in several languages, including Russian, Chinese, Spanish, German, French, Japanese and Portuguese. The application is aimed at business clients and has a high degree of security - especially for corporate needs. It will become a full-fledged corporate client with low power consumption.

"Zoiper"

Here we have one of the most popular applications for accessing IP telephony from Android devices. It comes in three versions:

• “Zoiper IAX SIP VOIP Softphone” – free version with a simple user interface and high-quality voice transmission;
• “Zoiper Beta” is a beta version of the application that works with any SIP providers. If necessary, can be used as the default “dialer”. There is support for chats and multiple accounts;
• “Zoiper PRO” is a full-fledged version with the maximum number of functions. It has improved Bluetooth support, supports IAX and SIP protocols, works with multiple accounts, integrates into the system, and has echo cancellation functions. This is a truly professional and highly customizable SIP client for Android for corporate needs.

All versions of the application can be branded to suit the needs of corporate clients.

"CSIP Simple"

The last update to this application dates back to November 2014. Since then it has not undergone any changes. The application is not available on Google Play; it must be searched for in third-party sources, which may compromise the security of user devices - for corporate needs this is completely unacceptable. At one time it was the best - users noted its stability and low requirements for the equipment used. Today the application is unsafe, so we recommend using alternative software.

Application Features:

• A simple interface that does not cause difficulties even for novice users;
• Ability to work with multiple SIP accounts and providers;
• Easy to set up – just specify the server, username and password.

If the program were updated to this day, it would be popular and in demand.

Feedback from our reader

My company required IP telephony that would meet a number of requirements: the presence of a PBX, the ability to use numbers from different regions, reasonable prices and the ability to quickly resolve issues. I chose from several providers on the market, and finally settled on Zadarma, it meets all our requirements. Read more >>>

Please note that installing applications from untrusted sources may lead to data loss and virus infection of mobile devices. We recommend installing applications exclusively from Google Play.

"Linphone"

Unlike the previous one, this application is supported and developed. It is also presented in the Google Play app store, which is already a definite advantage. The SIP client is compatible with almost any mobile device and allows you to make calls via Wi-Fi and mobile Internet with minimal traffic consumption. Application Features:

• Supports high definition video calls;
• Audio conferencing support;
• Traffic encryption option;
• Compatible with most VoIP providers;
• File sharing support;
• Push notification support for receiving messages from contacts.

The disadvantage of the "Linphone" application for Russian-speaking users will be the lack of support for the Russian language - you will have to put up with an English-language interface. But in general it is quite simple, you can figure it out in just a few minutes. An advantage will be support for the main phone book - here you can see which of your friends also use the Linphone application for faster messaging and making calls.

"Sipdroid"

The next participant in our review is the Sipdroid mobile application. It is a simple SIP client that allows you to work with any VoIP providers. It is also compatible with Asterisk IP PBX. Its capabilities:

• Phone book support;
• Transfer files of any format;
• High definition video calls.

An analysis of the experience of Russian users showed that the application is somewhat crude - calls are often dropped, connections are not established, there are problems with voice transmission and difficulties in dialing mobile phones. Developers regularly release new versions, but even this does not get rid of problems with voice communication. We recommend using the alternative applications described in our review.

"3CX Phone"

One of the most popular applications, including in the corporate environment. It works in tandem with an office phone, allowing you to receive calls anywhere in the world. “3CX Phone” is suitable for both smartphones and tablets running the Android operating system. Its capabilities:

• Replacement of the standard application for working with calls;
• Call forwarding and holding;
• Conferencing support;
• Setting and viewing current statuses;
• Support for corporate chat with colleagues;
• Working with voice mailbox messages.

The application is undemanding in terms of free RAM; it operates in sleep mode, waking up only when a phone call arrives. At the same time, it saves battery due to support for PUSH technology. For correct operation, it is recommended to use the latest stable versions of the application.

"Free for Android"

This simple application is designed to work with the Zadarma provider - other providers are not supported. It does not waste traffic by working in the background and using PUSH notification technology. It is possible to work with several accounts at the same time - for example, with personal and work accounts. Application features:

• Integration with phone book;
• Displaying the current balance on the account being used;
• Receiving and sending SMS messages;
• Receiving and sending text messages within the network (corporate chat);
• Maintaining call and message history.

The application from Zadarma can work with both traditional telephony and virtual PBXs. Moreover, it does not require complex settings - just specify the login and password for the SIP ID.

Why use SIP?

SIP telephony is an excellent choice for a startup, small or medium-sized business. This solution makes it possible to save investments, improve the level of customer service, and also build comprehensive analytics of the company’s activities.

Main advantages:

• The ability to organize a virtual office PBX, a multi-channel number for IP telephony, an arbitrary number of operators at prices significantly lower than a traditional office PBX.
• Rapid deployment of the company's telephone network. It is enough to have a high-quality Internet connection.
• Save on long-distance or international calls. Only the basic tariff of the traffic “landing” point is paid.
• Possibility of integration with 1C, CRM, analytics systems.
• It's easy to organize call tracking. This allows you to control managers and track the effectiveness of selected advertising channels.
• Geographical independence - the service can be provided wherever there is a global network.
• A full range of intelligent telephony services - call center, forwarding, answering machines, call queues, call back, reliable encryption algorithms, voice mail.

Connection is made in different ways:

• using special phones connected to the Internet;
• using a regular telephone, connecting it to an IP telephony gateway;
• using mobile phones, tablets, computers via the Internet. To connect, you need a special program for IP telephony, called a SIP client.

How to choose a program for SIP telephony

The choice of SIP telephony program largely depends on the further use of organized communication channels. Several directions are possible:

Corporate Communications

mobile connection

Private communication

Universal SIP client

1. Corporate communications, organization of office work, cross-platform use - 3CX Phone is suitable for such purposes.
2. If you need constant mobile communication with colleagues, the functionality of a hardware IP phone is your choice CSIP Simple.
3. For private communication and optimization of long-distance calls, you can choose Blink or MicroSIP.
4. Finally, if you need a universal client for computers and mobile devices for all popular operating systems, it is better to use Zoiper.