What is Microsoft Teams Direct Routing?
Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams is one of three ways offered by Microsoft for organizations to connect their communications infrastructure to Microsoft Teams Phone so that their users can make and receive external phone calls through the PSTN. The other ways are Operator Connect and Calling Plans.
Direct Routing requires a Microsoft-certified session border controller, such as one of the physical or virtual platforms in the award-winning AudioCodes Mediant SBC family, to connect the Microsoft Teams deployment to the PSTN.
When an incoming call is received, the SBC mediates a session with Microsoft Teams Phone and passes the call through to the Teams client and on to the intended recipient. In the same way, an outgoing call is routed through to the SBC and then to its destination via the PSTN.
What are Microsoft Teams Calling Plans?
Microsoft Calling Plans refer to the telephony services offered by Microsoft as part of its Microsoft 365 subscription. These plans allow organizations to make and receive phone calls using the Microsoft Teams application, turning it into a comprehensive communication solution. Key components of Microsoft Teams Calling Plans typically include:
- Voice calling
- Phone system
- Direct Routing
- International calling
- Audio conferencing
- Emergency calling
- Call analytics
Note, Teams Calling Plans may vary based on geographical location and the specific subscription plan. Organizations can choose the plan that best fits their communication needs, whether they prefer a complete cloud-based solution or a hybrid approach that integrates with existing telephony infrastructure.
What is the difference between Teams Direct Routing, Operator Connect and Calling Plans?
Microsoft provides three different ways to connect Microsoft Teams deployments to the PSTN to enable Teams voice calling. These are:
- Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams customers connect to local PSTN or SIP trunk providers using certified session border controllers. This enables a bring-your-own-carrier (BYOC) approach and integration with existing voice systems like PBXs, unified communications (UC) or contact centers.
- Operator Connect – Customers can choose from a list of qualified operators in the Microsoft Teams Admin Center. Once selected, the operator contacts the customer and connects them to the service. AudioCodes’ session border controllers are certified for Operator Connect, while AudioCodes Live Platform is approved for Operator Connect Accelerator.
- Calling Plans – This is Microsoft’s own subscription-based telephony solution for making and receiving phone calls using the Microsoft Teams platform, offering simplified deployment where you can buy your phone number and minutes from Microsoft directly.
What are the benefits of Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams?
With Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams, organizations get all the benefits of Teams while retaining their existing provider for their lines and minutes, easily integrating their existing PBXs, contact centers and other voice systems.
Direct Routing using AudioCodes’ Microsoft-certified Mediant session border controllers is a highly scalable way of connecting an organization’s existing infrastructure to the PSTN and Teams, suitable for a handful of users up to tens of thousands.
AudioCodes SBCs also offer exceptionally strong security and resiliency, helping to keep organizations connected when the lights go out.
What are the benefits of Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams?
With Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams, organizations get all the benefits of Teams while retaining their existing provider for their lines and minutes, easily integrating their existing PBXs, contact centers and other voice systems.
Direct Routing using AudioCodes’ Microsoft-certified Mediant session border controllers is a highly scalable way of connecting an organization’s existing infrastructure to the PSTN and Teams, suitable for a handful of users up to tens of thousands.
AudioCodes SBCs also offer exceptionally strong security and resiliency, helping to keep organizations connected when the lights go out.
Why is it important to have a Microsoft-certified Direct Routing solution and SBC?
Using a Microsoft-certified Teams Direct Routing solution and SBC is important for several reasons:
- Interoperability: Microsoft partners with selected SBC vendors like AudioCodes to ensure their devices work seamlessly with Direct Routing, including joint work on SIP interconnection protocols and thorough testing.
- Support: Microsoft provides support for Phone System with Direct Routing only when used with certified SBCs. This ensures that there is a joint support process established with the SBC vendors, who can escalate issues to Microsoft via internal channels.
- Security: Certified SBCs help protect your network from threats such as DoS attacks and ensure malware attack protection, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of your communications network.
- Quality Assurance: Daily tests with all certified devices in production and pre-production environments validate that new versions of Direct Routing code in the cloud work with certified SBCs.
- Firmware Compatibility: The certification is granted to specific SBC firmware versions, ensuring compatibility and support for the versions documented and recommended by Microsoft.
Microsoft-certified Direct Routing solutions and SBCs provide a reliable, secure and supported infrastructure for integrating your company's telephony system with Microsoft Teams, enhancing the overall communication experience in the hybrid workplace.
All AudioCodes SBCs and solutions are fully certified by Microsoft for Teams Direct Routing.
