Microsoft Teams Direct Routing enables organisations to seamlessly connect their telephony infrastructure to Microsoft Teams Phone, allowing users to make and receive external calls through the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
This powerful solution transforms Teams into a fully-featured business phone system whilst giving you complete control over your communications strategy.
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What is Microsoft Teams Direct Routing?
Direct Routing is one of three connectivity options Microsoft offers for Teams Phone, alongside Operator Connect and Calling Plans. Unlike Microsoft's subscription-based telephony services, Direct Routing allows you to bring your own carrier, retaining your existing PSTN provider whilst benefiting from the collaborative power of Microsoft Teams.
The solution requires a Microsoft-certified Session Border Controller (SBC) to mediate connections between your Teams deployment and the PSTN. When calls are made or received, the SBC securely manages the session, routing traffic between Microsoft Teams Phone and your telephony provider.
Why Choose Direct Routing?
Direct Routing stands out as the optimal solution for organisations seeking greater control over their telephony costs and infrastructure. Unlike restrictive calling plans, it empowers you to select your own carrier, integrate existing systems, and scale according to your unique business needs, all whilst delivering the modern collaboration experience your teams expect.
Direct Routing provides unparalleled flexibility in how you manage business communications. Choose your preferred telephony provider, leverage existing infrastructure investments, and maintain complete control over call routing and management policies.
By bringing your own carrier, organisations can achieve significant cost savings compared to Microsoft's native calling plans. You'll benefit from competitive telephony rates whilst eliminating the need for expensive on-premise hardware.
Create a unified communication platform that combines Microsoft Teams' collaboration capabilities with enterprise-grade telephony. Your existing PBX systems, contact centres and voice infrastructure integrate smoothly with Teams, providing a single interface for all communication needs.
Whether you're supporting a handful of users or tens of thousands, Direct Routing scales effortlessly to meet your requirements. The solution grows with your business without requiring significant infrastructure changes.
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Key Benefits
Beyond the core advantages of flexibility and cost control, Direct Routing delivers strategic benefits that position your organisation for long-term success. From ensuring business continuity to supporting the evolving needs of modern workforces, these capabilities make Direct Routing an investment in your communication infrastructure's future.
Built on resilient network infrastructure with robust security features, Direct Routing ensures your communications remain available when you need them most.
Direct Routing allows you to use your own telephony provider (bring your own carrier), giving you control over costs and routing, whilst Calling Plans are Microsoft's all-in-one subscription service where you purchase phone numbers and minutes directly from Microsoft. Direct Routing offers greater flexibility and typically lower costs, particularly for organisations with existing carrier relationships or those with high call volumes.
You'll need a Microsoft-certified Session Border Controller (SBC), but this can be either a physical appliance or a virtual solution hosted in the cloud. Many organisations opt for cloud-based SBCs, eliminating the need for on-premise hardware entirely and reducing maintenance requirements.
Yes, one of the key advantages of Direct Routing is that you can retain your existing phone numbers. Your telephony provider will continue to manage your number ranges, allowing for a seamless transition without the disruption of changing business contact details.
Implementation timescales vary depending on your organisation's size and complexity, but many businesses can be up and running within a few weeks. The process involves configuring your SBC, setting up routing policies in Teams, and migrating users. With proper planning and expert guidance, the transition can be smooth and minimally disruptive.
This depends on your specific configuration and redundancy setup. Many Direct Routing solutions include failover options, such as backup internet connections or the ability to route calls to mobile devices or alternative numbers. Working with your provider to establish a robust business continuity plan ensures communications remain available even during outages.
Take the Next Step
Ready to explore how Microsoft Teams Direct Routing can transform your business communications? Contact our team of experts to discuss your requirements and discover the right solution for your organisation.
