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I am new to Google Voice and am interested in how it works internally so I have few doubts about it.

  1. Is the Google Voice number itself a SIP number?
  2. How does Google Voice receive calls from any PSTN line or mobile internally and transfer to the user's directed phone?
  3. Does Google Voice have its own SIP server from where they generate different Google Voice numbers for users?
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No numbers are inherently "SIP" numbers or any other type of numbers, they are just numbers. Numbers are handed out to VoIP providers and PSTN line providers alike from number vendors (such as 360 or Level 3, they do not generate the numbers themselves - though they can, however this doesn't mean they own the number, it will route only within their network if it is not routed through a number vendor). These number vendors control the routing of the numbers between other number vendors and the providers they provide backbone service for. This is typically where the transfer between PSTN and VoIP takes place, on something called an IP Backbone.

SIP is just one of many VoIP protocols. Google has its own SIP servers to handle the signaling for its service - its clients will need to sync with this server and signaling that creates a call is handled this way. These servers are called Session Border Controllers and are often accompanied by applications servers (for hosted voice, but integrated systems don't always require application servers). Their SBCs communicate with the servers of their number vendor in order to have the call routed properly (unless it is an in-network call, then it will never leave the VoIP provider's network).

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  • Ok , so if i want to implement a system like google voice then what i need a sip server and a SBC ?
    – Hunt
    Aug 21, 2011 at 10:40
  • You would need an SBC and an account with a number vendor. That would get you your numbers and the inbound routing for those numbers to your SBC. You would need a contract with one or more number vendors and routing rules set up in the SBC for outbound calls to follow. You would need an SBC to communicate with your clients and you would likely need an application server to handle the functions for those clients (call forwarding, hunt groups, voice mail - much like a PBX). You would also need e911 registration capability as required by law in your coverage area.
    – MaQleod
    Aug 21, 2011 at 10:48
  • So i need to convinces phone service providers and need to get a tie up so that they allow my SBC to cope up with them ?
    – Hunt
    Aug 21, 2011 at 10:52
  • Well, no, you are the phone service provider, you just need access to their gatways for inbound and outbound calls to actually go anywhere. They'll provide you with the routes for outbound calls, you need to program them into your SBC. You provide them with the route(s) to your SBC(s) and they program that into their systems. They hand you numbers, you assign those to customers and you write the routing for those numbers in your SBC/Application server. When one of those numbers gets dialed, it hits the number vendor, they send it to your SBC, your SBC sends it to your customer.
    – MaQleod
    Aug 21, 2011 at 10:58
  • okay thats pretty much informative help your are providing , so does these companies like Vodafone , AT&T etc do allow us to acess their gatways for inbound and outbound calls ?
    – Hunt
    Aug 21, 2011 at 11:05

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