A critical prerequisite for Microsoft Teams Calling is the appropriate licensing structure. One license that businesses should consider is the Microsoft 365 Business Voice (without Calling Plan), recommended for businesses with up to 300 users. Another is the Microsoft 365 E5, which comes with Phone System, Audio Conferencing, and Domestic and International Calling Plan.
Alternatively, enterprises can purchase add-ons to their Office 365 subscription. If you have an Office 365 E1 or E3 subscription, you can enhance it with a Phone System add-on. The Calling Plan is another add-on that applies to Phone System. It enables full calling capabilities in Teams, such as PBX functionalities.
It’s crucial to remember that multiple licenses will need to be assigned to the same user to activate different features. For instance, a combination of E3 with Phone System and E5 incurs distinct prices. Knowing which license is suitable for your business can proficiently facilitate communication solutions via Teams.
Article Post 2: Leveraging the Phone System in Microsoft Teams
The Microsoft Teams Phone System is a cloud-based PBX system enabling call control and PBX capabilities in Office 365. For the Phone System to function, users require a Microsoft 365 Phone System license, available as part of the E5 plan or a top-up for other Microsoft 365 Business plans.
Key features enabled by Phone System include Call handling, forwarding, transferring, voice mail, and multi-line caller ID. Additionally, enterprises that wish to integrate existing phone lines with Teams can use Direct Routing, a feature that connects Teams to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
The Phone System’s pricing is dependent on the Microsoft 365 package. Standalone, it costs $8/month per user. In E5, it’s included at no additional charge, while an extra cost of $12/month per user is required for E3 and business premium plans.
Article Post 3: Setting Up Resource Accounts in Microsoft Teams
Resource Accounts represent resources like auto attendants, call queues, and meeting rooms in Microsoft Teams. These accounts require either an Office 365 E1, E3, or E5 license with a Phone System license or a Microsoft 365 Phone System – Virtual User license.
You can create resource accounts directly in the Teams Admin Center. Usage location should be set and licenses assigned based on where the resource will be used. For a Meeting Room, you will need to assign a Teams Meeting Room Standard or Premium license bundled with suitable audio conferencing licenses for your business needs.
For instance, if you are using auto attendants or call queues in conjunction with Direct Routing, you could assign a virtual user license for operation. If you are using Microsoft Calling Plan or Operator Connect, an E1, E3, or E5 license along with a Microsoft phone system license will be needed.
By identifying and provisioning the appropriate licenses for calling, Phone System, and resource accounts, organizations can effectively manage Microsoft Teams’ communications capabilities. A clear understanding of licensing requirements and costs will enable businesses to make informed decisions while being exam-ready for MS-700. Proper licensing also ensures compliance with Microsoft’s policies while maximizing the Teams feature set.
Practice Test
True or False: You need a license for every auto attendant and call queue you set up in Microsoft Teams.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Auto attendants and call queues do not require licenses. However, you need licenses for resource accounts which are used for these call routing features.
In Microsoft Teams, what kind of license should be assigned to a resource account?
- A. Microsoft 365 Business Basic
- B. Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- C. Calling Plan
- D. Microsoft Teams Free
Answer: C. Calling Plan
Explanation: In order to handle incoming calls, a resource account in Microsoft Teams should be assigned a direct routing or calling plan.
True or False: Direct Routing in Microsoft Teams requires Microsoft 365 Phone System.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Direct Routing allows you to connect your SIP trunks to Microsoft Teams. This requires Microsoft 365 Phone System to work.
Which of the following does not require a Microsoft Teams license?
- A. Phone System
- B. Communication Credits
- C. Direct Routing
- D. Microsoft Stream
Answer: D. Microsoft Stream
Explanation: Microsoft Stream, a video sharing service, does not specifically require a Microsoft Teams license.
True or False: A Microsoft Teams Room device requires a Microsoft Teams Room Standard or Microsoft Teams Room Premium license.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: In general, for Microsoft Teams Room devices, either a Microsoft Teams Room Standard or Premium license is required.
Which type of licensing is needed for resource accounts that belong to an auto attendant or call queue?
- A. Microsoft 365 Phone System – Virtual User
- B. Microsoft 365 Business Basic
- C. Office 365 E5
- D. Microsoft Teams Free
Answer: A. Microsoft 365 Phone System – Virtual User
Explanation: For resource accounts associated with an auto attendant or call queue, a Microsoft 365 Phone System – Virtual User license, which is free, can be used.
True or False: Microsoft Teams does not support enterprise voice.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Teams does support enterprise voice features with appropriate licensing, such as Microsoft 365 Phone System, Direct Routing, or a Calling Plan.
Which licensing option provides unlimited calling to domestic numbers within the United States in Microsoft Teams?
- A. Domestic Calling Plan
- B. Microsoft 365 Phone System – Virtual User
- C. Communications Credits
- D. Microsoft Teams Free
Answer: A. Domestic Calling Plan
Explanation: For unlimited calling to domestic numbers within the United States, the Domestic Calling Plan licensing option is appropriate.
True or False: Conference bridges require a unique license in Microsoft Teams.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Conference bridges are included in the phone system and do not require a unique license.
What kind of license is required for users in Microsoft Teams to make or receive domestic calls?
- A. Domestic Calling Plan
- B. Microsoft 365 Phone System – Virtual User
- C. Communications Credits
- D. Microsoft Teams Free
Answer: A. Domestic Calling Plan
Explanation: To make and receive calls to and from domestic numbers, users require the Domestic Calling Plan license.
Interview Questions
What type of licensing is required for Phone System in Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft 365 Business Voice, Microsoft 365 E5, or Phone System as an add-on licensing is required for Phone System in Microsoft Teams.
What is a resource account in Microsoft Teams?
A resource account is a non-person entity in Teams that can be assigned to a Teams resource such as an auto attendant or call queue.
Do Resource Accounts require licenses?
Yes, resource accounts require a license if the accounts are assigned to an auto attendant or call queue.
What types of licenses can use Microsoft Teams Direct Routing?
Direct Routing can be used with Microsoft 365 Business Voice, Microsoft 365 E5, or Office 365 E1/E3 with Phone System add-on license.
If you are using Microsoft Teams without a calling plan, what feature should you add-on for call functionality?
You would need the Microsoft 365 Business Voice without Calling Plan or Direct Routing.
What is the licensing requirement for Communication Credits?
Communication Credits is an add-on that requires a monthly commitment subscription for toll-free numbers. The subscription has no licenses.
What licenses are needed to make a Microsoft 365 Phone System and Calling Plans available in your organization?
To enable the full range of features for Calling Plans, each user must have an Office 365 E1, E3, or E5 license with a Phone System license.
Which licenses offer the call queues feature in Microsoft Teams?
To use call queues feature, you need to have Phone System, an E5 license, or Microsoft 365 Business Voice license.
Are resource accounts like call queues and auto attendants charged as regular user accounts?
No, call queues and auto attendants are not considered as regular user accounts. They are generally required to be licensed under a specific resource account license.
Can a user make a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) calls with just an E1 or E3 license?
No, for a user to make PBX calls, they would need an E1 or E3 Office 365 license along with a Phone System add-on license.
What is the role of a Session Border Controller (SBC) in Direct Routing?
A Session Border Controller (SBC) acts as an interface between your telephony network and Teams or Phone System.
What is the prerequisite for using Calling Plan in Microsoft Teams?
Calling Plan requires a Microsoft Phone System license, which can be obtained via Microsoft 365 E5 license or by upgrading Office 365 E1 or E3 to Microsoft Phone System.
What role does a communication credit license play in Microsoft Teams?
Communication credits are used for pay-per-minute calling and provide users with toll-free numbers. It’s an add-on to the Phone System license.
What types of licenses can be assigned to resource accounts?
Microsoft 365 Phone System – Virtual User licenses can be assigned to resource accounts.
What is a Direct Routing?
Direct Routing lets you use your on-premises Session Border Controller (SBC) with the phone system provided by Microsoft Teams. Direct Routing requires a supported SBC, a Microsoft 365 Business Voice, an E5, or a Phone System add-on license.