Make and take regular phone calls in Teams, with the numbers you already have. We compare the ways to connect Teams to the phone network and handle the move. Free to you.
Get a Free QuoteMicrosoft Teams Phone turns Teams into a business phone system. Users make and receive calls to regular phone numbers from the Teams app on computers and mobiles, or from certified desk phones. It needs two things: a Teams Phone license for each user, and a connection to the public phone network. Microsoft offers three ways to make that connection, and the choice affects price, call quality, international coverage and how much your IT team has to manage.
Microsoft supplies the numbers and calling. The simplest setup, where it’s available.
A participating carrier supplies numbers and calling, connected from the Teams admin center.
Your own SIP trunks connected to Teams through a certified session border controller.
| Option | How it works | Usually best for |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Calling Plans | Microsoft provides the phone numbers and calling minutes | Smaller organizations that want the simplest setup |
| Operator Connect | A participating carrier provides numbers and calling, linked in the Teams admin center | Organizations that want carrier pricing and support with little setup |
| Direct Routing | You or a provider connect SIP trunks to Teams through a certified session border controller | Complex needs, existing trunks, analog devices or broad international coverage |
Each user needs a Teams Phone license, which is included in some Microsoft 365 plans and available as an add-on to others. Depending on the connection option, you also need a Calling Plan or service from your carrier. Shared-area phones and meeting rooms have their own license types. Microsoft changes licensing from time to time, so confirm current terms before you buy.
Certified Teams desk phones and conference devices work directly. Analog devices such as fax machines, door phones and alarm lines need an adapter, a Direct Routing setup, or a separate replacement. See POTS line replacement.
Tell us how many users and locations you have, your current phone system and any devices that need to keep working. We compare the connection options and carriers, then plan the move.
We’re vendor-neutral. Depending on your locations and needs, options can include:
The provider compensates us, so our guidance is free to you — see how it works.
Microsoft Teams Phone is Microsoft’s cloud phone system inside Teams. It lets users make and receive calls to regular phone numbers from the Teams app or certified desk phones.
With Operator Connect, a participating carrier manages the connection to Teams for you. With Direct Routing, you or a provider connect your own SIP trunks through a session border controller, which gives more flexibility but more to manage.
Yes. Numbers can be ported to Microsoft or to your carrier, depending on the option you choose. We schedule porting with the cutover.
Yes, but emergency addresses have to be set up correctly, including for remote workers. Teams supports dynamic emergency calling based on a user’s network location.
Yes. The provider you select compensates us, so our comparison and sourcing cost you nothing.
Tell us about your users, locations and current phone system. We’ll compare the options and plan the move.
Talk to an ExpertExplore more: all solutions · Teams calling explained · UCaaS · SIP trunking · contact center AI.
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