Evaluating Microsoft Teams PSTN Alternatives

Author: Irwin Lazar, President and Principal Analyst

Companies have a variety of choices when it comes to integrating public switched telephone network (PSTN) calling into Microsoft Teams. These include obtaining Microsoft’s own Teams Phone license or integrating a third-party calling platform into Teams. Those going the Teams Phone route must also decide how to connect Teams Phone to the PSTN, with available options from Microsoft including Direct Routing, Operator Connect, and Teams Phone Mobile. This report explains options for unifying Teams with PSTN calling and provides guidance for IT decision makers to select the best option for their needs.

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Teams Adoption
• Bringing Calling to Teams
  • Teams Phone or Third-Party Integration?
  • PSTN Connectivity Options
  • Teams Phone Mobile
• Costs and Considerations
• Recommendations
• Working With Metrigy