Microsoft Teams Direct Routing
With Microsoft Teams, there are two options to both make and receive calls: Microsoft Calling Plan and Direct Routing.
There are disadvantages to using Microsoft’s native Calling Plan. You have to purchase the both phone system licensing and then call packages. These are charged on a per-user-per-month basis and cannot be shared between a team which means they can be costly. You have to add a credit-card facility to your account, so Microsoft can charge you for calls outside of the purchased call bundle at 12.3p per minute to UK mobile numbers-4 times the rate charged by most telephony providers! You cannot ring 03 or 08 numbers which many companies rely on for support or reaching a Public Sector body.
Their calling plan isn’t available worldwide, either.
So Why Choose Direct Routing?
With Microsoft Teams Direct Routing all the functionality of a phone system is provided, but it makes use of the benefits of VOIP or Internet-based phone systems. Teams can be used on any device (such as a Laptop or Mobile phone), and importantly, possibly using your current phone infrastructure too. Phone calls can be made and received as normal and reporting and recording functions can be put into place if required. Cost-wise , Teams Direct Routing is a much less expensive option than the Microsoft Calling Plan.
There are cheaper international call rates available, and free calls in the UK are treated as a bundle across your business.
