Microsoft Teams Direct Routing lets organizations place and receive public telephone calls in Teams by connecting a carrier’s SIP trunks through a certified Session Border Controller (SBC). If you’re asking what is Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, it’s the flexible alternative to Microsoft Calling Plans—bringing your own carrier, numbers, and global coverage while keeping Teams as the softphone.
How it works: the SBC sits between Teams Phone and your telephony provider, handling signaling, media, security, and policy. You can port existing numbers, integrate legacy PBXs, and route emergency services while applying recording, compliance, and failover rules.
Why teams choose it:
- Flexibility & cost: Keep preferred carriers and negotiated rates.
- Global reach: Cover countries where Calling Plans aren’t available.
- Control: Advanced routing, survivability, and interoperability with SIP devices.
- Migration path: Gradually move sites/users from legacy voice to Teams.
Our take? Direct Routing turns Teams into a true enterprise PBX—on your terms, with your carrier economics and call control.
Planning enterprise voice in Teams? Explore our Microsoft Teams PSTN Connectivity Guide for architecture options, SBC choices, number porting, E911, and rollout patterns that balance cost, control, and reliability.
