Already using Microsoft Teams? Find out how Direct Routing can help your business

What is Direct Routing?

Microsoft Teams Direct Routing lets you make and receive PSTN calls directly within Teams — bringing full call control, and voice connectivity for the Microsoft Phone System add-on, straight into the platform your team already uses every day.

It’s available to any Microsoft 365 customer who wants to use their own preferred voice carrier to enable PSTN calling for their Teams users — a straightforward way to bring your business phone system into the cloud.

Direct Routing is a genuine alternative to Microsoft’s own calling plans, with no on-premise hardware required. It uses Microsoft-certified Session Border Controllers (SBCs) to deliver better value, more flexibility, and easier migration, all as a fully cloud-based service.

What do I need to use Direct Routing?

  • A Microsoft 365 or Office 365 licence, including Teams — Teams is Microsoft’s unified communications environment, bringing messaging, chat, voice, and video together in one place.
  • The Microsoft Phone System add-on — this is the PBX-replacement voice component built into Teams.
  • A reliable internet connection — enough bandwidth to comfortably handle video conferencing and calls. Business fibre broadband is ideal for this.

Once you’ve got those in place, your business is ready to take advantage of Direct Routing.

What are the benefits?

  • Calls to anyone — supports calls to and from geographic, corporate, and VoIP numbers, premium numbers (UK and international), mobile numbers, international destinations, and emergency/non-emergency services.
  • Cost saving — a genuine saving per user compared to Microsoft’s own calling plans, making the most of the 365 licence you’re already paying for.
  • Agile — built for flexible, remote, and collaborative working.
  • Complete cloud solution — no expensive hardware, no big upfront outlay.
  • No missed calls — built-in network and number resilience keeps your business reachable.
  • Advanced call statistics — online access to call data supports better decisions on efficiency, productivity, and call handling.
  • Number porting — keep your existing geographic number wherever you are.
  • Education sector access — via Janet Connected accreditation, we can deliver IP voice services directly to the education community.

Already using Teams? We can help you make the most of it. [Get in touch →]