Microsoft Teams has become the go-to platform for collaboration, meetings, and chat in UK businesses. But did you know you can also use Teams as your complete phone system? By enabling telephony within Teams, you can make and receive calls directly in the app — replacing traditional desk phones entirely.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up Microsoft Teams with telephony, the benefits of integrating it with VoIP, and why businesses are making the switch.
Why Use Microsoft Teams for Telephony?
Combining Microsoft Teams with telephony transforms it into a fully-featured business phone system, giving you:
- 📞 Make & receive calls anywhere — on desktop, mobile, or web
- 💬 One platform for calls, chat, and meetings
- 🔄 Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 apps
- 🔒 Secure & reliable communications
- 📈 Scalable for remote and hybrid teams
With Teams telephony, you can say goodbye to separate phone systems and bring all communication tools into one central hub.
How to Set Up Microsoft Teams with Telephony
Setting up Teams telephony involves three main steps:
1. Choose a Microsoft 365 Plan that Supports Phone System
You’ll need a Microsoft 365 Business Voice or E5 licence, or you can add the Phone System add-on to your existing plan.
- E5 Plan: Includes Phone System and Audio Conferencing
- E3 + Phone System Add-on: Ideal for most SMEs
- Business Basic/Standard + Add-ons: A cost-effective option for small businesses
2. Select Your Calling Option
Microsoft offers two main ways to enable calling:
- Calling Plan (Microsoft) – Buy your numbers and minutes directly from Microsoft.
- Direct Routing (via a VoIP provider) – Connect Teams to an external VoIP system, like NextGen Cloud Hosted Telephony, for better call rates and more flexibility.
Why Direct Routing is Better:
- Lower call costs
- Keep your existing numbers
- More advanced call handling features
3. Configure and Deploy
Once your licensing and calling method are set, configuration involves:
- Assigning phone numbers to users
- Setting up call queues and auto-attendants
- Integrating with CRM systems if needed
- Testing call quality and device compatibility
At NextGen Cloud Solutions, we handle the full configuration and migration, so your team can start making calls from Teams without disruption.
Benefits of Microsoft Teams with Telephony
- Remote & Hybrid Work Ready – Take calls anywhere
- Cost Savings – One platform instead of multiple tools
- Future-Proof – No dependency on traditional phone lines
- Productivity Boost – Calls, meetings, chat, and file sharing in one place
Why Choose NextGen Cloud Solutions for Your Teams Telephony Setup?
We’re experts in Microsoft 365 and hosted telephony, meaning we can:
- Advise on the best licensing options for your needs
- Provide cost-effective Direct Routing solutions
- Fully set up your Teams telephony system
- Offer ongoing UK-based support
Start Your Microsoft Teams Telephony Journey Today
Upgrade your business communications with Microsoft Teams & Telephony — a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution for the modern workplace.
📞 Call us on 0191 640 2380
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Learn more: Microsoft 365 Services