Our expertise lies in hosting PBX and we've been doing it for a considerable amount of time. While we are not inclined towards venturing into the SIP cable business ourselves, we do seek to establish a close relationship with someone who operates in this field.

As far as our web hosting servers are concerned, our aim is to position them as close to the point where the connection exits the public internet and enters the PSTN. Therefore, it is imperative that we have access to these specific details.

If you have any information or insights on this matter, please feel free to contact me via PM.

The extent of your volume determines whether you have the capability to compete directly with established players such as Level 3, Verizon and others.
These big names have PSTN gateways spread across the country and they select the closest one depending on call volume. In most cases, SIP signaling can be centrally managed. However, RTP is typically transmitted directly between the caller and the nearest endpoint, so the key factor here is the location of your clients and where they are placing calls to.
This aspect is not related to the physical location of your SIP server.

What you are looking to achieve is something that data centers and internet service providers (ISPs) commonly do to improve data transfer speeds and performance. They call this peering, which is a process in which two internet networks connect and exchange traffic. It allows them to directly hand off traffic between each other's customers, without having to pay a third party to carry that traffic across the internet for them.

The best way to implement this would probably be to find an ISP or data center operator that is open to this kind of partnership. You can start by checking with the major SIP trunking providers. Companies like Twilio, Vonage, and RingCentral have robust infrastructures and may already have partnerships with ISPs or data centers that get them closer to the PSTN exit points.

You could also consider working with one of the major cloud providers such as Amazon AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure. These companies have data centers all over the world and may be able to provide you with servers located very close to the PSTN exit points.

But you may find that these larger organizations may have existing arrangements, or may not be inclined to establish such a detailed partnership with a smaller entity. If that's the case, you should definitely check with smaller, local ISPs or data centers. They might be more receptive to such a partnership and their local focus could actually give you a better position relative to the PSTN exit points.

Bear in mind, it's a fairly complex process and might involve considerable legal and technical oversight to ensure everything operates according to required regulations and standards. Depending on the specifics of the situation, you might also need to work with the local telecommunications regulators in some capacity.

In all cases, a detailed discussion with potential partners is a must to share your specific needs and understand what they can offer. Consider leveraging the services of a technology consultant with experience in telecommunications and ISP relationships to help guide this process. They can both help you to better understand the landscape and can assist in identifying potential partners.

Further to the last point, if your company hosts PBX, it's likely you have a wealth of expertise in Voice over IP (VoIP) solutions. Leveraging this expertise in a strategic partnership negotiations will be key. When discussing potential partnerships with SIP trunk providers, ISPs, or data centers, showing a deep understanding of how the technology works - as well as how it could potentially be optimized - could be a deciding factor that sways a deal in your favor.

Also, from a technical standpoint, the distance between your servers and the point where the connection transfers to the PSTN is definitely important, but quality and reliability are just as critical. You'd want to ensure the potential partners you're considering not only can get you close to those exchange points, but have a strong track record of uptime, strong security measures in place, and can provide robust, reliable connections.

It might be a good idea also to learn about SDWAN technology if you are not already familiar. This technology, standing for Software-Defined Wide Area Networking, allows for much greater control over your network and how your traffic is prioritized. It could be a real asset to ensure optimal latency for your PBX network.

The broader point here is that when you enter discussions about potential partnerships, you should aim to have a clear understanding of your technical needs, but also some potential solutions. Being able to propose well-informed, technically robust suggestions could help convince a potential partner of the value you bring to the table.

Lastly, another approach alongside establishing relationships with SIP trunk operators could be partnerships with Tier-1 ISPs. These ISPs have access to the entire Internet region solely via their own networks or through peering agreements. Their expansive infrastructure and peering agreements could position your servers favorably within the Internet landscape.

Developing partnerships in this field not only requires strategic planning, but also tactical engagement and a great understanding of the space you're venturing into. It is important to start shaping a specific strategy for what kind of companies you want to partner with. Network providers range from Tier 1 ISPs to localized service providers, each presenting its own benefits and challenges. Making a balanced decision between the size, location, and reputation of the prospective partner is key.

In your approach to these companies, it is crucial to highlight your value proposition and expertise in PBX hosting. Explain how your operation could complement and enhance their services, effectively creating a mutually beneficial partnership. This could be in the form of better VoIP quality to their customers due to reduced latency, expansion of services, or improved network performance.

If your business has a good track record, case studies displaying how you have had a positive impact on other businesses can also be useful. Partnerships are not just about immediate benefits, but also the long-term potential for both companies involved.

You should also consider seeking legal and technical assistance to navigate through contracts, peering agreements, SLAs, and technical integration aspects during the negotiation phase.

Furthermore, it's always a good idea to keep abreast of the latest networking technologies and trends which could affect the SIP cable/PBX landscape. This includes SD-WAN technologies, cloud-based unified communications solutions, and even AI-based network optimization tools. Being informed and capable of discussing these trends not only helps you negotiate from a position of strength, but it could also potentially open up new opportunities for collaboration or technology adoption.

Finally, cultivating a network of contacts in the industry – such as through professional organizations or technology networking events – can often lead to partnerships. Not only can this increase your visibility and credibility in the space, but it also can help you stay informed of potential opportunities and partners that could be beneficial for your business.

Partnerships indeed require significant work and due diligence, but with the right approach, they can provide substantial benefits for companies like yours.