Good news, Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, the feature that allows you to connect your own Session Border Controller and PSTN Carrier to Microsoft Teams for user phone numbers, is now generally available.
Deploy your own SBC and connect your preferred SIP carrier/Interop with your existing telephony system
AudioCodes and Ribbon are the currently certified Session Border Controllers if you want to host and manage your on on-premises.
Here is a full list of certified Session Border Controllers: http://tom.qa/TeamsSBC
Both have hardware and software SBC options. Thinktel have their own SBC that is certified, but it’s a carrier system, not one for enterprises.
Interestingly AudioCodes have a Virtual Edition SBC which is supported by them in Microsoft Azure, so conceptually you can run your Microsoft Direct Routing certified SBC in Azure. I know this technically works, but there is nothing public about Microsoft’s support stance.
Have a partner host and manage the SBC and carrier connection for you
If you have no requirement to interop with an existing phone system/other on-premises systems, you might choose to have a partner host the SBC and manage the PSTN carrier connection for you. Microsoft outline 12 partners who have already tested this who can offer this option:
- BezeQ International – Israel
- BT – UK/Global
- Cellip – Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Spain, UK and Switzerland
- Nuwave – US
- Orange Business Services – France/global
- Swisscom – Switzerland
- TATA – Indian/Global
- Telekom Deutschland (part of DT) – Germany/Global
- Telenor – Norway
- Thinktel – Canada
- West – US/Global
There are some very big providers on that list, and I’m sure more will be adding options.
Reference:
Official Blog post: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Microsoft-Teams-Blog/Direct-Routing-in-now-Generally-Available/ba-p/210359
Deep Dive Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVkc5Bs926Q&feature=youtu.be
Documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/direct-routing-plan
great and nice
[…] Direct Routing became generally available at the end of June. It allows you, or your favourite service provider, to deploy a certified Session Border Controller […]