You want to make calls via Microsoft Teams. The license is quickly arranged. But then comes the question that often causes confusion: how do you actually access the telephone network?

There are three routes. They all work, but not all fit every organization.

Route 1: Microsoft Calling Plan

Microsoft provides the phone numbers and the connection. You purchase a calling plan per user and you’re set.

  • Strong in: simplicity. One supplier, one invoice.
  • Less strong in: flexibility. Rates, bundles, and number sequences are fixed. Special requests are difficult.
  • Suitable for: smaller organizations with simple calling needs.

Route 2: Operator Connect

A telecom operator connects its network directly to Microsoft. You manage numbers directly in the Teams admin center, but the operator provides the connection.

  • Strong in: quick start without own hardware, with the terms and support of an operator.
  • Less strong in: you are bound to what the operator offers.
  • Suitable for: organizations that want business rates and local support without technical management.

Route 3: Direct Routing

You connect Teams via a Session Border Controller (SBC) to a telephony provider of your choice. You manage that SBC yourself or let a partner manage it.

  • Strong in: maximum freedom. Existing contracts, analog lines, special equipment, or multiple countries: it’s all possible.
  • Less strong in: more technology and thus more management.
  • Suitable for: organizations with a complex environment or specific requirements.

And Teams Phone Mobile?

With Teams Phone Mobile, your mobile number becomes your Teams number. You call with the same identity via the Teams app or the regular call app on your phone. This is facilitated by an operator that supports this. It is especially interesting for organizations where many employees are on the road.

How to choose

Ask yourself four questions:

  1. How many users are actually calling externally?
  2. Do you need to take existing numbers and contracts with you?
  3. Do you have special connections, such as door phones, elevators, or a contact center?
  4. Do you work in multiple countries, such as the Netherlands and Belgium?

The more you answer "yes" to questions 2 through 4, the quicker you will find yourself at Operator Connect or Direct Routing.

Our honest view

There is no best route. There is only a route that fits. We see organizations that start too heavily with Direct Routing, while it could have been simple. And we see organizations that get stuck with a Calling Plan once they grow.

With 365 Phone, you are not choosing a technical route, but a solution that fits your organization and grows with you.

Not sure which route suits you? Schedule an introductory meeting and we'll compare the options to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch routes later?

Yes. Numbers can be transferred between routes, although this requires good planning to prevent outages.

Can I combine routes?

Yes. You can, for example, use a Calling Plan for most employees and Direct Routing for a location with special requirements.

Do I need an SBC with Operator Connect?

No. The operator arranges the connection with Microsoft. You do not need your own hardware.