PSTN Calling in Microsoft Teams
Enable enterprise phone calls through Microsoft cloud with Direct Routing and Calling Plans for Teams Phone System.
Last updated by Errin O'Connor, Founder & Chief AI Architect, EPC Group
This page explains PSTN calling in Microsoft Teams: how enterprise phone calls run through Microsoft's cloud using Calling Plans, Operator Connect or Direct Routing, the key benefits and the common questions. It is for telephony and IT leaders deciding which calling option to pair with Teams Phone.
Key Facts
- Microsoft enterprise consulting since 1997; 6,500+ SharePoint and 1,500+ Power BI deployments.
- Compliance-native delivery across HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, FINRA, CMMC, and GxP environments.
- Microsoft Solutions Partner with experience across core current designations.
- Senior architect named on every engagement Statement of Work.
- Engagement Operating Model: published seven-phase Microsoft project management methodology.
- Free initial consultation; fixed-fee scoped Statements of Work.
Key Benefits
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Expert pstn calling in microsoft teams implementation.
Benefit 2
Expert pstn calling in microsoft teams implementation.
Benefit 3
Expert pstn calling in microsoft teams implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PSTN calling in Microsoft Teams?
PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) calling in Microsoft Teams enables users to make and receive traditional phone calls directly from the Teams application. It turns Microsoft Teams into a full enterprise phone system, replacing legacy PBX hardware with cloud-based telephony.
What licensing is required for Teams Phone System?
Teams Phone System requires a Microsoft 365 E5 license (which includes Phone System) or a Microsoft 365 E1/E3 license with a Teams Phone add-on ($8/user/month). Additionally, you need either a Microsoft Calling Plan, Operator Connect, or Direct Routing to connect to the PSTN network.
What is the difference between Calling Plans and Direct Routing?
Microsoft Calling Plans are a fully cloud-based solution where Microsoft provides the phone numbers and PSTN connectivity. Direct Routing connects your own SBC (Session Border Controller) and telecom provider to Teams, offering more flexibility, potentially lower costs for large deployments, and the ability to keep existing carrier contracts.
Can I port my existing phone numbers to Microsoft Teams?
Yes, you can port existing phone numbers to Microsoft Teams whether using Calling Plans or Direct Routing. The porting process typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on your current carrier and number complexity. EPC Group manages the entire porting process to ensure zero downtime during the transition.
Does Microsoft Teams support E911 emergency calling?
Yes, Microsoft Teams supports Enhanced 911 (E911) calling with dynamic emergency calling capabilities. Teams can detect user location and route emergency calls to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with accurate location information, meeting regulatory requirements for enterprise phone systems.
Why Organizations Choose EPC Group
EPC Group is a Microsoft consulting firm based in Houston. We have experience in enterprise implementation since 1997 and over 10,000 successful deployments. Our expertise includes:
- Power BI
- Microsoft Fabric
- SharePoint
- Azure
- Microsoft 365
- Copilot
We serve a wide range of organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, and sectors such as healthcare, financial services, government, manufacturing, energy, education, retail, technology, and global enterprises.
What sets EPC Group apart is our governance-first approach. Every engagement starts with a security and compliance assessment. Our team of senior architects has practical experience in:
- HIPAA
- SOC 2
- FedRAMP
- CMMC environments
We focus on delivering results, not just hours worked.
- Fixed-fee accelerators with predictable pricing and defined deliverables
- Senior architect engagement on every project, not rotating juniors
- Compliance-native delivery for regulated industries
- End-to-end coverage from strategy through 24/7 managed services
- 11,000+ enterprise engagements refined into repeatable, risk-controlled patterns
Call (888) 381-9725 or email contact@epcgroup.net for a free assessment.
Microsoft Teams Strategy: 2026 Considerations for Pstn Calling In Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams Phone in 2026 serves as the modern replacement for enterprise PSTN. It offers:
- Teams Phone Standard at $8/user/mo for outbound calling via Microsoft Calling Plans.
- Teams Phone with Calling Plan Domestic at $15/user/mo, which includes 3,000 outbound minutes/user/mo.
- Operator Connect allows enterprises to keep their current carriers (BT, Verizon, Lumen) while integrating seamlessly with Teams.
The total cost comparison against legacy PBX shows that Teams Phone is more cost-effective for any deployment with over 500 users.
The Microsoft Teams Rooms Pro license, priced at $40 per room per month, will enhance governance, security, and remote management for conference-room hardware in 2026. This cost is balanced within 12-18 months when compared to basic HDMI projectors. Benefits include:
- Reduced AV-support helpdesk volume
- Automatic firmware patching
- Device compliance driven by Microsoft Endpoint Manager
In healthcare and financial services, Logitech Rally or Yealink are commonly used for room hardware.
Decision factors EPC Group evaluates
- Communication Compliance policies for executive and regulated roles
- Teams Rooms hardware standardization (Logitech Rally vs Yealink)
- Microsoft Purview information barriers for cross-business-unit segregation
- Microsoft Sentinel detections for Teams compliance recording requirements
- Teams Phone Standard vs Calling Plan vs Operator Connect TCO comparison
See related EPC Group services or schedule a discovery call.