Many UK organisations already use Microsoft Teams for chat, meetings and files, but haven’t yet connected it to the phone network. Adding PSTN calling lets staff make and receive ordinary phone calls in Teams on any device. We help you choose the right option, then configure and support it.
Your options
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Calling Plans | Microsoft provides the numbers and the calls. | Smaller teams wanting the simplest setup. |
| Operator Connect | A participating operator provides calling, managed from the Teams admin centre. | Organisations wanting operator-grade calling without their own SBC. |
| Direct Routing | Your SIP trunk connects to Teams through a certified session border controller (SBC). | Keeping an existing provider or PBX, contact centres, mixed estates, maximum control. |
How Direct Routing works
- Session border controller: a certified SBC, hardware or virtual, bridges Teams and your SIP trunk. We deploy anynode, AudioCodes and other certified SBCs, or use Wildix as the telephony layer.
- SIP trunk: your UK SIP provider carries the calls, and your existing numbers are routed through it.
- Teams Phone licences: each user who makes or receives phone calls in Teams needs one.
- Voice routing: we configure voice routing policies so outbound calls use the right trunk and inbound calls reach the right person, queue or auto attendant.
Teams with Wildix
Wildix integrates with Microsoft Teams, giving you the best of both:
- Keep Teams for chat, meetings and collaboration.
- Use Wildix for robust telephony, contact-centre queues, call recording and IVR.
- Add AI transcription and summaries with x-bees.
Frequently asked questions: Teams calling in the UK
What are the ways to add phone calls to Microsoft Teams in the UK?
There are three main options. Microsoft Calling Plans, where Microsoft provides the numbers and calling. Operator Connect, where a participating operator provides calling through the Teams admin centre. And Direct Routing, where your own SIP trunk connects to Teams through a certified session border controller.
When is Direct Routing the right choice?
Direct Routing suits organisations that want to keep an existing SIP provider or phone system, need contact-centre features, have sites with mixed systems, or want more control over call routing and costs.
What licences are needed?
Each user who makes or receives phone calls in Teams needs a Teams Phone licence, which is included in some Microsoft 365 plans (such as E5) or available as an add-on. Calling Plans are an extra licence; Direct Routing and Operator Connect use your provider’s calling instead.
Can we keep our existing UK numbers?
Usually, yes. With Direct Routing your numbers stay with your SIP provider and are routed into Teams. With Calling Plans or Operator Connect they can normally be ported.
Set up Microsoft Teams calling for your business
UK phone: +44 (0)20 4602 3181 | Email: info@netontechnologies.com
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