Microsoft Teams Direct Routing
Unlock Seamless Telephony in Microsoft Teams
Elevate your Microsoft Teams experience by connecting it with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Now, empower every user to make and receive external calls directly from Teams on any device they choose.
Assign individual phone numbers to each user and transform your Teams into a full-fledged communication hub. Experience the richness of traditional PBX systems, combined with the versatility of cloud-based Unified Communication platforms, all in one place.
Trusted by 20,000+ Businesses Globally
Teams Direct Routing Features
Advanced PBX Features
Get tools like heads-up display, call queue management, and whisper, monitor, and barge to satisfy the needs of the sales, receptionists, and other phone power users.
- Unified number for phone, fax, and SMS text
- Call recording
- Cost center account codes
- Call monitoring (whisper, bardge)
- Call queues
- Unlimited US & Canada calling
- Call forwarding & transfer
Seamless Teams User Experience
Users access telephony in Microsoft Teams with no training required.
Global Coverage
Global coverage allows you to maximize your Microsoft licensing investment and enable voice capabilities for Microsoft Teams. Direct routing to 44+ countries and number coverage in 100+ countries.
The Broadest Set of Integrations
Access to 300+ phone integrations with comprehensive API's for Telephony.
Download Our Buyers Guide
Organizations evaluating telephony for Microsoft Teams are often unfamiliar with the different public switched telephone network (PSTN) connectivity options that are available.
This concise buyers' guide describes Microsoft Teams' three main PSTN integration choices.
You will learn about the advantages and drawbacks of each without drowning in the details or losing sight of your original goal -- adding voice service to Microsoft Teams.
Click the image to the right to download the Teams Voice buyers guide for IT professionals.
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FAQ's?
Contents:
- What is Microsoft Teams Direct Routing?
- How Do I Enable Direct Routing in Microsoft Teams?
- What is the Difference Between Direct Routing and Calling in Teams
- How Much Does Teams Direct Routing Cost?
What is Microsoft Teams Direct Routing?
Microsoft Teams Direct Routing is a solution that amplifies the voice communication capabilities of Microsoft Teams. At its core, Teams Direct Routing is designed to integrate your telephony system with Teams, allowing users to make, receive, and transfer calls to and from landlines and mobile phones on the public switched telephone network (PSTN) right from their Teams interface. This seamless integration ensures businesses can leverage the power of unified communications, blending the capabilities of traditional phone systems with the collaborative features of Microsoft Teams.
How Do I Enable Direct Routing in Microsoft Teams?
The following steps are required to set the stage for seamless call operations:
- First, ensure that you have the required components: a Microsoft Phone System license, a Session Border Controller (SBC) to mediate between Teams and the telecom provider, and a telecommunication provider that supports Direct Routing (Cloud9 Data can help you with this part).
- Once these elements are in place, configure your SBC by linking it with Teams and your telecommunication provider. Through the Microsoft Teams admin center or PowerShell, create and manage the routing configurations, making sure to match them with the policies on your SBC.
- Post SBC configuration, the next phase involves linking it to Microsoft Teams. Use PowerShell commands to connect your SBC to Teams, define voice routes, create PSTN usages, and assign voice policies to users. As a best practice, always validate the configuration by testing call routes, ensuring they function as intended.
Remember, while the process might seem intricate, the outcome is a streamlined, unified communication platform that brings together the best of Microsoft Teams and traditional telephony.
What is the Difference Between Direct Routing and Calling in Teams?
Microsoft Teams offers two primary telephony solutions: Direct Routing and Calling Plans. While both aim to enhance calling capabilities within Teams, their operational frameworks and deployment models differ significantly.
1. Direct Routing:
Direct routing stands out for its flexibility, allowing businesses to connect Microsoft Teams to their preferred telecommunication provider via a Session Border Controller (SBC). This means organizations can retain their existing telephony service, seamlessly integrate them with Teams, and benefit from a unified communication system that is both cost-effective and adaptable to specific needs.
2. Calling Plans
Calling Plans are a Microsoft-offered solution, where businesses purchase call packages directly from Microsoft. This method simplifies the deployment process, as Microsoft becomes the sole provider for both the collaboration tools and the telephony service. With Calling Plans, companies can quickly enable phone system capabilities without the need for external integrations or hardware. However, Calling Plans lack of flexibility in call rates and functionality compared to Direct Routing.
How Much Does Teams Direct Routing Cost?
- Unlimited plans start at $6.95
- Metered plans start at $4.50
You can mix and match plans based on each users unique needs.