Answer

STUN and TURN (starting from Softphone v.6.2.8), are the secret to flawless softphone reliability. They are special helpers built into your CommPeak Softphone that solve the problem of strict firewalls and complex networks, ensuring your voice always gets through.

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IMPORTANT NOTE

Only enable STUN/TURN if you're having audio issues (like one-way or missing audio). If your current setup is working fine, enabling this feature won't improve the call quality and could introduce unnecessary network steps.

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NOTE

Check the Network Options section in the relevant CommPeak Softphone guides and follow the steps to enable STUN and TURN protocols and unlock consistent audio quality and uninterrupted calls from any network:

• Standalone CommPeak Softphone
• Built in CommPeak Softphone
• Web based Softphone Widget.

Here's a breakdown of the benefits these technologies provide:

Q1: Why Should I Enable STUN/TURN in my Softphone?

If you are experiencing issues with one-way audio or missing audio, you should enable STUN/TURN to ensure your calls connect reliably and have clear audio.

These protocols are designed to overcome problems caused by NAT (Network Address Translation) and firewalls, which often block the media (voice) portion of a call.

Q2: How Does This Improve Call Connectivity?

STUN and TURN act as essential network tools that help your softphone find a path for the voice data:

STUN helps your softphone determine its public internet address, which allows media to flow directly between you and the other caller (peer-to-peer). This is the fastest method.

TURN acts as a fallback relay server. If the direct connection fails (usually due to a stringent firewall or NAT configuration), your voice traffic is temporarily routed through the TURN server. This ensures the call connects properly instead of failing completely.

This allows your calls to connect successfully even on strict networks like those in hotels, airports, corporate offices, or mobile networks.

Q3: Will STUN/TURN Improve my Voice Quality?

Yes, they can significantly improve your voice experience in specific network environments where direct peer-to-peer communication is blocked or restricted:

Lower Latency: When STUN successfully enables a direct peer-to-peer connection, your voice traffic takes the shortest route, resulting in lower latency (less delay) and clearer, more natural conversations.

Reliable Media Flow: Even when a direct connection isn't possible and TURN must be used, it ensures the media stream isn't blocked, preventing the call from failing or having only one-way audio.

Q4: Does This Fix "One-way" or "No-audio" Issues?

Absolutely. The frustrating issue where a call connects but you hear no audio, or only one side hears the other, is almost always caused by NAT or firewall problems blocking the media path.

By providing reliable methods for media traversal (STUN for direct, TURN for relay), these protocols virtually eliminate these one-way or no-audio problems and prevent calls from being unexpectedly dropped due to network restrictions.

Q5: How Does This Help with Remote Work and Travel?

For those who travel or work remotely, network stability is unpredictable.

Enabling STUN/TURN ensures your softphone can seamlessly roam between different and often restrictive networks (like home Wi-Fi, public hotspots, or client offices). It guarantees that you can make and receive calls consistently, making your softphone a reliable tool no matter where you are.

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NOTE

You can check our dedicated What are STUN and TURN in SIP? article to learn more about STUN/TURN protocols.