PSTN Calling in Microsoft Teams

What is PSTN Calling?

PSTN stands for Public Switched Telephone Network. Sometimes it is referred to as Plain Old Telephone Service or POTS. It is the good old circuit-switched telephones that used to exist in the last century. PSTN used to be dependent on the network of underground copper wires that used to be hardwired between home to businesses and to the switching centers to connect phone calls.

The PSTN used to carry users’ voice calls from his telephone to the recipient phone using wired and switched networks. Connecting a voice call between dialer and recipient was rereferred to as circuit completion. A call was routed through a host of switches located locally, nationally, and internationally using the circuit switching method to connect with the recipient.

According to a study conducted by the National Interest Organization, about 90% of US households had a working landline (PSTN) phone back in 2004. Today, the number has reduced to 40%. Now, more and more people depend on cell phones. Despite reduced PSTN calls, some people still use or rely on PSTN calls to connect with people and businesses. By enabling Microsoft Teams PSTN calling, you expand your reach to even those still using PSTN phone numbers.

Convert Microsoft Teams into Business Phone System

Employees are already calling each other through Microsoft Teams without the need for a phone number. However, with Microsoft Teams PSTN Calling, employees can make calls from anywhere and wherever using their work number.

Two options empower employees to make, receive, and transfer calls- to and from the landlines and mobile devices on the PSTN. To leverage call functionalities in Microsoft Teams, you need to have a phone number and PSTN Connectivity. Go for Microsoft Calling Plans to convert Microsoft teams into a business phone system.

Microsoft Calling Plans: A Microsoft calling plan is an ad-on telephone service. Combining it with the phone systems makes it a voice solution for your business. The Microsoft Calling Plans are available as a per-user license and offer a significant way of making and receiving calls, including primary phone numbers, minute bundles, and PSTN connectivity. You can opt for domestic or international calling plans as per your country and requirements.

Microsoft Calling plans to convert your Teams platform into a hosted PBX system are different from direct routing, where you need a third-party carrier. All the calling plans are available via Office 365 and are currently available in selected (14) countries.

Advantages of Using Microsoft Teams PSTN Calling

Microsoft Teams was primarily considered to be a communication and collaboration tool. However, Microsoft has converted Teams into a business phone system by adding voice and PBX capabilities. Now, users can make and receive inbound and outbound phone calls apart from meetings, conferencing, chatting, and more.

Here are some advantages of using Microsoft Teams PSTN Calling,

• Flexible calling plans: With flexible calling plans offered by Microsoft, you can optimize specific lines for specific departments and give them access to a different range of PSTN connectivity like only internal, external, domestic, or international calls.
• Cost-efficient: Microsoft Teams PSTN calling is beneficial for organizations already using Office 365 licenses. Under the E5 level, you get access to Microsoft Teams Telephony, but with E1 and E3, you have to pay a minimal fee of $8.00 to add the phone system. Besides, add only $12.00 for domestic calling and $24.00 for international calling.
• Unprecedented features: With Microsoft Teams calling plans, you can access versatile features usually not present on a desk phone. Features such as call forwarding options and simultaneous ring, group call pick up and forward to group transfer a call and consultative transfer, call park and retrieve, caller ID, device switching, integrated dial pad, cloud voice mail, secondary ringer, and much more.
• Certified devices: Microsoft Teams Certified devices (Bluetooth headset or background noise-suppressing headphones) for optimum voice performance enhance the calling experience. These devices are less expensive than desk phones and provide all-day comfort.