Microsoft Teams Phone (previously known as Microsoft Teams Cloud Voice) is a great option for most small to midsize organisations looking to update their phone system as well as create a unified communication system for their users. In this article we discuss the packages available for Microsoft Teams Phone and how you can get started.

Microsoft Teams Phone

Microsoft Teams Phone is the business voice-over-IP (VoIP) component of Redmond’s all-encompassing team messaging suite, Microsoft Teams.  Previously known as Microsoft 365 Business Voice, Microsoft has moved its voice and video calling offerings for small businesses and enterprises under a single brand. The first thing to understand about Microsoft Teams Phone is that you must be a Microsoft Teams customer to use it. Teams Phone can be purchased as a standalone service, which gives businesses the option to bring a calling plan/PSTN connectivity from third-party providers. Included in the £7.50 per user per month cost you receive the phone system, audio conferencing and a maximum of 300 users.

Microsoft Teams Phone with Calling Plan

Teams Phone with Calling Plan is a cloud-based phone system that enables users to make, receive, and transfer calls to and from landlines and mobile phones on the public switched telephone network (PSTN) in Microsoft Teams.  

Teams Phone with Calling Plan includes a phone system and a domestic calling plan. (Domestic calling plan includes 3,000 minutes for the US and Canada, 1,200 minutes in other markets.)  

Adding toll-free numbers and additional minutes can be paid per use through a prepaid wallet, known as Communications Credits. An optional international calling plan that includes 600 minutes/user/month can be purchased as an add-on. The cost for Microsoft Teams with Calling Plan is £11.30 per user/month ex VAT. Here is an example of what’s included in a Teams Calling Plan Bundle.

  • Cloud-based phone system with advanced features including call transfer, multilevel auto attendants, and call queues. 
  • A domestic calling plan with 3,000 minutes in the USA and Canada and 1200 minutes in other markets. 
  • Call from anywhere, on any device through the Microsoft Teams app on desktop, mobile, web, and desk phones. 
  • Around-the-clock customer support seven days a week, backed by Microsoft. 

Microsoft 365 Subscription with Microsoft Teams

You’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription with Microsoft Teams including accessing Microsoft Teams Phone. There are multiple packages available depending on the functionality you need.  

Microsoft 365 Business plans include: 

  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic 
  • Microsoft 365 Business Standard 
  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium 

Aside from buying a calling plan from Microsoft and a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can also purchase one of Microsoft’s Premium E5, G5 or A5 packages. Microsoft’s “Enterprise level” packages come with access to a Phone System already built-in and audio conferencing, so you can conduct and call into meetings from your phone.  

The Microsoft 365 E5 package for Enterprise currently costs £48.10 per user/month with an annual commitment.

Custom Pricing for Microsoft Teams Phone

Understanding Microsoft Teams Phone system pricing can be a little complex because of various ways to connect your public switched telephone network (PSTN) to Teams. Your calling plans will differ depending on whether you’re accessing calling functionality directly from Microsoft Teams or a Direct Routing or Operator Connect provider.  

After you’ve dealt with calling plan functionality or PSTN connectivity, you’ll also need to consider the costs of your Microsoft 365 plan and whether you need basic business functionality or Enterprise access with various advanced security and compliance tools built in. 

Microsoft offers insights into the kind of standard subscription and pay-per-minute call rates you’re likely to pay by country or region here. You can also contact Microsoft Teams to add Phone functionality to an existing Microsoft 365 E1 or E3 plan for a custom price. 

If you would like more information on Microsoft Teams Phone, contact our team who can help.