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5 Tips on Choosing The Right Microsoft Teams Calling Plans

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams, which is slated to be the powerful replacement for Skype for Business, is a platform that allows its clients to pursue global collaboration.

Wherever you or your MS Teams users might be, you can communicate with them in real-time, as long as you have a Microsoft calling plan.

So how do you choose from the many telephony options out there?

By following these five tips on choosing international direct routing Microsoft Teams call plans, you can get the best value for your needs.

Determine the Best Type of Plan for Your Organization

You have four options in using Microsoft Teams’ phone systems:

Calling Plan

This pathway is coursed through a public-switched telephone network (PSTN). Here, you can make internal and external calls to phone numbers, albeit at a higher cost. After all, this depends on whether you get a domestic package or combined domestic and international calls.

The downside to getting a Microsoft plan is determining port numbers, which can be time-consuming and confusing. It’s also available only in a few territories.

Direct Routing

Direct routing works by connecting you to Microsoft Teams with the help of a third-party provider. It combines the system to the PSTN through SIP trunks and a session border controller (SBC).

Direct routing is regarded as a flexible form of communication, with each call being cheaper than the usual plan. It’s also recommended for a user with a third-party PSTN contract with Verizon or Century Link, for example. It’s ideal for teams without IT personnel since this system does not require a lot of support.

Microsoft Teams direct routing is also easy to set up, as it can be integrated with your existing phone system. It can also be appended to analog points and emergency calling points.

Phone System

With this, users can easily upgrade their old systems. Add to that, they can control the calls well within the Office 365 platform.

When paired with other programs, this can help users enjoy a bevy of calling capabilities.

Teams Devices

This option is best at promoting collaboration in a conference room environment. Through this, you can initiate meetings or create presentations.

Identify the Problems that Need to be Solved

If you’re using a PBX for your business, you may be faced with several problems, such as:

  • The old desk phone can’t be used to make a VoIP call.
  • Can’t see all the conversations in a centralized area.
  • You can’t connect the exchange calendar system with an existing phone system.
  • You cannot integrate your Skype for Business with the PBX system.

By identifying your company’s current issues, you can find the best solution.

Carefully Evaluate the Benefits of the Calling Plan

While you are free to purchase another telephony service, using Microsoft Teams has more benefits for your organization. They include:

  • Fast set-up, so productivity is maintained because of minimal user interruption
  • Easy to use, as there is no need to study new equipment
  • Voice features can be easily configured in the Teams Admin Center
  • No need for inbound requirements for a simplified firewall configuration, SSL certificates, or on-premise SBCs
  • Can be used with direct routing, especially for countries where a calling plan is unavailable
  • Only one bill to pay

Make Sure That the Calling Plan is Available in Your Area

An important facet to consider when choosing Microsoft calling plans is the availability.

As mentioned, unified communications are not available in all countries. At the moment, this service is only applicable to organizations in the following nations:

  • Australia (Preview Customers)
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Denmark
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • US
  • UK

Check the Requirements and the License for a Direct Routing Plan

Before you can use Microsoft Teams’ calling features, you first have to check the requirements, including the licenses.

Requirements

To enable direct routing, you should have the equipment required by the service provider:

  • Microsoft Phone System or Cloud PBX for call control
  • A connection between your PBX and the PSTN

Licenses

To get a calling plan, you need to have a license.

If you have a small organization certificate or less than 300 workers who will be using Teams, you should get the Small Business Plan with Business Voice add-on permit. With this, you are entitled to a business phone system, audio-conferencing, and domestic call plans.

For organizations with 300+ users or with Microsoft E1/E3 licenses, using the Office 365 license is recommended. It also comes with a phone system and calling offers, though the audio conferencing is an add-on cost.

If you only want two licenses for every user per month, you should take the Office 365 plan. With this, you get a phone system and an audio-conferencing permit from the provider.

Remember, you should use direct routing for your phone calls. Procuring a license is no longer necessary.

There you have it — the five tips on choosing international direct routing Microsoft Teams call plans. By considering these, you are sure to pick the best plan for your company.