Direct Routing
In 2017 Microsoft released Teams as an integration with their Office 365 subscription productivity suite. Teams is Microsoft’s Unified Communications-as-a-Service (UCaaS) platform, and will eventually fully replace Skype for Business Online. Teams allows users to collaborate via chat, video conference, and calling.
What is Direct Routing?
Direct Routing allows an organization to access the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) from Microsoft Teams, enabling users to make and receive phone calls. In order to use Teams as a means to connect to the PSTN, an organization must enable Microsoft Phone System, which is the native PBX functionality within Teams. Microsoft phone system is included with certain licenses like E5, but can also be purchased as an add on to an E3 license as well. In order to ensure incoming and outgoing calls are passed through the Microsoft Teams client and delivered to your end users, you’ll need to have a Microsoft certified SBC (Session Border Controller) as well as a provider for both your SIP trunking and E911 Services.
Direct Routing costs depend on your individual inputs. One of the most attractive things about Direct Routing is the pay for what you use model that generally comes with SIP trunking. A few things that will affect the cost of your individual Direct Routing solution are: who your SIP trunking provider is, what usage model you’re set up for, who your E911 provider is, what E911 services you require, who your SBC vendor is, and what option (hosted, on prem, etc) you choose.
When an organization decides to use Teams for PSTN access and obtains the proper license with Microsoft Phone System, they actually have two options: Direct Routing and Microsoft’s own Calling Plans. Microsoft Calling Plans, powered by Bandwidth, is a seat based model that comes with a list of line features.
Learn about Bandwidth’s Duet℠ for Microsoft Teams solution
Get the Direct Routing & E911 solution powered by a single, software-centric carrier. Take control of your telephony and be in compliance with E911 regulations like Kari’s Law & RAY BAUM’s Act.