Choosing the appropriate licensing for Microsoft Teams Rooms and Common Area Phones allows businesses to fully utilize the potential of these tools while remaining compliant with Microsoft’s licensing guidelines.
Understanding Microsoft Teams Rooms Licensing
Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR) combines collaboration, audio, and video technologies to offer seamless meeting experiences for office-based or remotely connected participants. It requires appropriate licensing to function optimally. According to the Microsoft documentation, licensing for Microsoft Teams Rooms depends on the usage scenario. Here’s the basic guideline suggested by Microsoft:
- For Teams Audio and Video Conferencing, a Teams Room Standard or Teams Room Premium license is required.
- When PSTN Calling is required, a Microsoft 365 Business Voice without calling plan license can be added together with Microsoft 365 Phone System and a Calling Plan.
The Teams Room Standard license serves all basic needs for an MTR. It covers Microsoft Teams, Phone System, Audio Conferencing, and Intune. Teams Room Premium license comes with all the features of the Standard license plus additional premium features like Device setup assistance, 24/7 management and monitoring, and Regular device software updates.
Keep in mind that all MTR devices should be licensed separately, which means each device requires its license.
Understanding Common Area Phone Licensing
Common Area Phones (CAPs) are often placed in common areas such as lobbies and conference rooms. They need specific licenses depending on the needs and usage required.
- If the CAP only needs internal, domestic, or international calling, a Microsoft Teams Phone System license is required along with the desired calling plan.
- If PSTN dial-in conferencing is required for the CAP, a Microsoft Teams Audio Conferencing license should be added.
- If direct routing for CAP is preferred, Microsoft recommends using the Teams Common Area Phone license.
For example, if you need to set up a CAP in your lobby for domestic calling purposes, you’ll need a Teams Phone System license with a domestic calling plan. For a conference room CAP with PSTN dial-in conferencing requirement, you’ll need to add an additional Teams Audio Conferencing license.
Comparing MTR and CAP Licensing:
Capabilities | Microsoft Teams Rooms Standard | Microsoft Teams Rooms Premium | Common Area Phone |
---|---|---|---|
Teams and Skype Compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Audio and Video Conferencing | Yes | Yes | Phone System License needed |
PSTN Calling | Add-on Available | Add-on Available | Add-on Available |
Device Setup Assistance | No | Yes | No |
24/7 Management and Monitoring | No | Yes | No |
Regular Device Software Updates | No | Yes | No |
To sum up, the appropriate licensing for Microsoft Teams Rooms and Common Area Phones depends on the specific usage requirements. Always ensure to check the Microsoft official documentation for the most accurate and latest information when making your licensing decisions to guarantee compliance and to effectively meet your business communication needs.
Have in mind that this knowledge on Microsoft Teams Rooms and Common Area Phones’ licensing requirements is crucial for the MS-700 Managing Microsoft Teams exam, as it forms a part of the “Manage Rooms and Devices” section of the exam.
Practice Test
True or False: For Microsoft Teams Rooms, the required licenses are Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business Plan 2, Exchange Plan 2, and Intune.
- Answer: True
Explanation: These are the necessary software licenses for Microsoft Teams Rooms. Additionally, hardware needs to be separately licensed.
Which licensing does not belong to Microsoft Teams Rooms?
- a) Microsoft Teams
- b) Skype for Business Plan 2
- c) Exchange Plan 1
- d) Intune
Answer: c) Exchange Plan 1
Explanation: Exchange Plan 2 is required for Microsoft Teams Rooms, not Exchange Plan
True or False: For a Common Area Phone, an Office 365 E5 license is required.
- Answer: False
Explanation: For a Common Area Phone, a Microsoft Teams Phone with Calling Plan and Common Area Phone license is required, not Office 365 E
True or False: Resource Account is needed for Microsoft Teams Rooms.
- Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft Teams Rooms must be associated with a Resource Account to function properly.
Which of the following are appropriate licenses for Common Area Phones? (multiple select)
- a) Microsoft 365 Phone System
- b) Microsoft Teams Plan 2
- c) Microsoft Teams Phone with direct routing
- d) Skype for Business Plan 1
Answer: a) Microsoft 365 Phone System, c) Microsoft Teams Phone with direct routing
Explanation: The Microsoft 365 Phone System and Microsoft Teams Phone with direct routing are approved licenses for Common Area Phones.
True or false: The Phone System license is not needed for Microsoft Teams Rooms.
- Answer: True
Explanation: The Phone System license is not required for Teams Rooms. The required licenses are Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business Plan 2, Exchange Plan 2, and Intune.
Which license is mandatory for Microsoft Teams Rooms?
- a) Intune.
- b) Skype for Business Plan
- c) Office 365 E
- d) Exchange Plan
Answer: b) Skype for Business Plan
Explanation: Skype for Business Plan 2 is mandatory for Microsoft Teams Rooms along with Microsoft Teams, Exchange Plan 2, and Intune.
True or False: Microsoft Teams Rooms also require a Resource Mailbox to operate.
- Answer: True
Explanation: In addition to the required software licenses, Microsoft Teams Rooms must be paired with a Resource Mailbox for proper functioning.
Which of the following licenses are not required for Common Area Phones in Microsoft Teams? (multiple select)
- a) Microsoft Teams Plan
- b) Office 365 E
- c) Microsoft 365 Phone System.
- d) Phone System.
Answer: a) Microsoft Teams Plan 1, b) Office 365 E
Explanation: Microsoft Teams Plan 1 and Office 365 E3 are not required licenses for Common Area Phones.
Is Intune mandatory for Microsoft Teams Rooms?
- a) Yes
- b) No
Answer: a) Yes
Explanation: Intune is among the necessary licenses for Microsoft Teams Rooms. It is used to manage the devices used in Teams Rooms.
Interview Questions
What license is required to fully utilize Microsoft Teams Rooms?
Microsoft Teams Rooms requires a meeting room license such as Meeting Room Standard or Meeting Room Premium.
Which license option is suggested for common area phones?
For common area phones, the Microsoft 365 Phone System – Common Area Phone is suggested.
Can you use Microsoft 365 E5 to license Microsoft Teams Rooms?
Yes, Microsoft 365 E5 licenses can be used to license Microsoft Teams Rooms.
Can a Microsoft Teams Room system operate with an E3 license or does it need an E5?
Microsoft Teams Room can work with an E3 License, with the addition of a Phone System License, an Audio Conferencing license, and an Intune license.
How much Intune licensing is required to manage a Microsoft Teams Rooms device?
One Intune license per device is required to manage a Microsoft Teams Rooms device.
What is the recommended license for using Microsoft Teams Rooms with direct routing?
The recommended licenses for Microsoft Teams Rooms with direct routing are Microsoft 365 Phone System, Meeting Room, and Intune.
Is an Audio Conferencing license required for Microsoft Teams Rooms?
Yes, an Audio Conferencing license is required for every Microsoft Teams Rooms.
What licenses are required to use common area phones with a direct routing configuration?
Microsoft 365 Phone System – Common Area Phone license and Phone System Direct Routing are required.
Does Microsoft provide any bundled subscriptions for Teams Rooms and Common Area Phones?
Yes, Microsoft offers Microsoft 365 Enterprise E5, which bundles the necessary subscriptions for Teams Rooms and Common Area Phones.
If a company has Microsoft 365 Business Basic subscription, what additional licenses are required for a Teams Room system?
In addition to the Microsoft 365 Business Basic subscription, a Microsoft Teams Room also requires Meeting Room Standard or Premium licenses, a Phone System license, and an Audio Conferencing license.
Can Microsoft Teams Room and a common area phone share the same license?
No, Microsoft Teams Rooms and common area phones each require their own specific licenses.
What types of audio conferencing licenses are there for Microsoft Teams Rooms?
There are two types of audio conferencing licenses available: Pay-per-minute and Communication Credits.
How many Audio Conferencing licenses are needed for a Microsoft Teams Room?
One Audio Conferencing license is needed per Microsoft Teams Room.
What is the purpose of the Microsoft Intune license for Microsoft Teams Rooms?
The Microsoft Intune license is used for management and security of the Microsoft Teams Rooms devices.
Are Intune licenses required for common area phones?
No, Intune licenses are not required for common area phones. Intune licenses are primarily used for managing Teams Room devices.