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Plan for Operator Connect

  • Article
  • Applies to:
    Microsoft Teams

Operator Connect is another option for providing Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) connectivity with Teams and Phone System. For more information about Teams voice solutions and PSTN connectivity options, see Plan your Teams voice solution and PSTN connectivity options.

This article describes benefits and requirements, and provides a link to the operators participating in the Microsoft Operator Connect Program.

Operator Connect might be the right solution for your organization if:

  • Microsoft Calling Plan isn't available in your geographic location.

  • Your preferred operator is a participant in the Microsoft Operator Connect Program.

  • You want to find a new operator to enable calling in Teams.

If you decide Operator Connect is the right solution for your organization, after reading this article, see Configure Operator Connect.

Benefits

With Operator Connect, if your existing operator is a participant in the Microsoft Operator Connect Program, they can manage the service for bringing PSTN calling to Teams. The Operator Connect program provides the following benefits:

  • Leverage existing contracts, or find a new operator. You keep your preferred operator and contracts, or choose a new one from a selection of participating operators to meet your business needs.

  • Operator-managed infrastructure. Your operator manages the PSTN calling services and Session Border Controllers (SBCs), allowing you to save on hardware purchase and management.

  • Faster, easier deployment. You can quickly connect to your operator and assign phone numbers to users -– all from the Teams admin center.

  • Enhanced support and reliability. Operators provide technical support and shared service level agreements to improve support service, while direct peering powered by Azure creates a one-to-one network connection for enhanced reliability.

Requirements

To enable phone number assignments with Operator Connect, make sure your users are:

For a list of operators participating in the Microsoft Operator Connect Program and the countries or regions where their service is available, see the Microsoft 365 Operator Connect directory.

Support boundaries

For technical support, please contact the customer support of your Operator Connect Operator first. If needed, Operator Connect Operators can escalate your support case directly to Microsoft engineering through shared support channels.