Microsoft Teams Phone: Can it replace your traditional PBX?

Microsoft Teams telephony (Teams Phone) allows employees to make and receive calls to standard phone numbers directly from Teams — on their computer, smartphone, or desk phone. For many companies, this is an opportunity to retire their legacy PBX system and unify their communications.

TL;DR — Key Takeaways

• Teams Phone replaces traditional PBX with a cloud-based solution.
• Existing phone numbers can usually be ported over.
• You need a Teams Phone license and a connection to a carrier.
• Ideal for hybrid teams and multi-location businesses.

Benefits and Limitations

What You Need

1. A Teams Phone license (standalone or bundled).
2. Connection to the PSTN via a carrier (Operator Connect or Direct Routing).
3. Porting of existing phone numbers.
4. Headsets or Teams-certified desk phones.
5. A stable network with proper traffic prioritization.

How the Transition Works

First, we inventory existing numbers, auto-attendants, and call groups. Then, we set up the Teams environment, test with a pilot group, and port the numbers at a scheduled time — usually without any downtime in availability.

Microsoft Teams for ProductivityHow to utilize Teams to its full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we keep our existing numbers?

In most cases, yes. Numbers are ported to the provider connected with Teams.

Does it work on mobile phones?

Yes, via the Teams app using your business number.

What happens during an internet outage?

Calls can be automatically redirected to mobile numbers.