In this guide
1. Introduction 2. Comparison Table 3. Private vs Shared Delivery Models 4. Frequently Asked QuestionsTable of Contents
China SIP trunk service is provided by Government Service Providers and third-party Service Providers.
Only China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile have phone number resources in China, while other third-party service providers obtain numbers wholesale from these three major carriers.
Figure 1: Relationship between government telecom providers and third-party resellers in China.
Government Telecom Service Provider vs 3rd Internet Telecom Service Provider
Private vs Shared SIP Trunk Delivery Models
Left (Private individual using):
The telecom operator connects directly to the customer's local office via physical E1/PSTN fiber. Numbers are owned by the customer.
Right (Shared together using):
The telecom operator wholesales numbers to third-party providers. Customers connect via the internet (public SIP) to a shared cloud platform.
“In 20 years of doing this, I’ve often been asked by overseas CTOs: ‘Why is my friend’s number so much cheaper than mine?’ Because they don’t know that in China, ‘cheap’ often means the number doesn’t belong to your company. If that number is recalled, your entire communication system goes down.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can provide SIP DID numbers in China?
A: China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile can provide SIP trunk. Some third-party providers can also offer SIP trunk.
Q: I do not have a local company in China. Can I get a SIP number?
A: Sorry, you cannot. According to Chinese law, all phone numbers must be registered under a local company.
Q: When I contact Telecom/Unicom, they tell me it takes many days to apply for SIP service.
A: We can help expedite the process using our resources, so you can use your SIP number as soon as possible.
Q: When I search the web, why is there so little information about China SIP?
A: Government SIP trunk services were opened in 2018. Also, SIP requires technical expertise, so only a few people are knowledgeable about it.
Q: The telecom provider gave me a list of SIP parameters. It is very complex, and I have no idea how to proceed.
A: You need to purchase an SBC device and configure it with the parameters provided. We can help you with the configuration.
Q: Can I forward a SIP line to a remote office?
A: With the CTS SIP server, you can forward local SIP lines to remote locations.
Q: How can I check the ownership of a number?
A: Call 10000 (Telecom), 10010 (Unicom), or 10086 (Mobile) to verify if the number belongs to you.
Conclusion & Related Resources
Choosing the right SIP trunk provider in China depends on your specific needs. Government providers offer full legal ownership and are ideal for Microsoft Teams and daily business calls, while third-party providers offer speed and flexibility for sales and marketing campaigns.
📘 How to Get a China SIP Trunk Number — Step-by-step guide
📘 Private SIP vs Public SIP — Understand the difference
🔧 Get Your SIP Trunk Service — Start the application process
Ready to Get Your China SIP Trunk?
CTS helps you navigate both government and third-party SIP trunk providers.
View SIP Trunk Service →