Tutorial / Cram Notes
Licensing for Calling in Microsoft Teams
Calling in Microsoft Teams requires a Phone System license which can be acquired in two ways:
- Office 365 E5 Subscription: Complete with Phone System, Audio Conferencing, and a Calling Plan.
- Add-on to Office 365 E1 or E3 Subscription: Office 365 E1 and E3 do not include Phone System by default, but a Phone System add-on can be purchased.
To make and receive PSTN calls, users must also have a Calling Plan:
- Domestic Calling Plan: For local calling.
- Domestic and International Calling Plan: For both local and international calls.
Direct Routing option is available for organizations that prefer to use their own telephony infrastructure.
Examples:
- A company with Office 365 E5 licenses does not need any additional licenses for the Phone System and calling capabilities.
- A user with an Office 365 E3 license would need to add the Phone System and a Calling Plan to make PSTN calls.
Licensing for Phone System
For enabling Phone System capabilities in Teams, the following licensing options should be considered:
| User Plan | Features Included |
|---|---|
| Office 365 E5 | Phone System and Audio Conferencing |
| Office 365 E3 + Add-on | Phone System with add-on purchase |
| Microsoft 365 Business Voice | Phone System for small and medium businesses (up to 300 users) |
Resource Accounts
A resource account is a special type of Microsoft Teams account that is not assigned to an individual user but is used for things like auto attendants and call queues. Resource accounts need a license when:
- They are tied to a Phone System Virtual User license (no cost) and require direct routing or an additional PSTN service.
- They are associated with a Conference Bridge that allows for dial-in capabilities to meetings.
Examples:
- For an auto attendant providing a menu to callers, a resource account with a Phone System Virtual User license and associated Direct Routing is necessary.
- A resource account set up for a call queue to distribute incoming calls to a specific team would require a similar setup as the auto attendant.
Licensing Comparison for Phone System and Resource Accounts
| License Type | Suitable For | Features and Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Office 365 E5 | Enterprises | Includes Phone System and Calling Plans |
| Office 365 E1/E3 + Phone System Add-on | Enterprises | Add-on purchase for calling features |
| Microsoft 365 Business Voice | SMBs (up to 300 users) | Tailored for smaller business needs |
| Phone System Virtual User License | Resource Accounts | For auto attendants and call queues with no cost for the license itself |
It is essential to map out the requirements of your organization’s communications infrastructure before purchasing licenses. The correct licensing will depend on the size of the organization, the existing infrastructure, and specific requirements such as the need for domestic or international calls, and whether an organization uses or plans to use direct routing for integration with an existing on-premises telephony solution.
For MS-700 test-takers, familiarity with these licensing details is vital in designing, planning, and maintaining an effective Microsoft Teams environment that capitalizes on the platform’s communication capabilities.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: Phone System licenses are required for users to make or receive calls in Teams.
- 1) True
Phone System licenses are an add-on for users to enable Private Branch Exchange (PBX) capabilities in Microsoft Teams, allowing them to make, receive, and transfer calls to and from landlines and mobile phones on the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
True or False: Every user that will participate in conference calling needs a dedicated Conference Bridge license.
- 2) False
Conference Bridge capabilities are included in certain Office 365 licenses and are not assigned per user; instead, they allow users to join a meeting via a phone number.
Which license is necessary for live events in Microsoft Teams?
- A) Teams Exploratory
- B) Office 365 E3 or E5
- C) Domestic Calling Plan
- D) Audio Conferencing
B) Office 365 E3 or E5
Office 365 E3 or E5 licenses include the capabilities required to host live events in Microsoft Teams.
True or False: All users need a Microsoft Calling Plan license to make outbound calls in Teams.
- 4) False
Calling Plan licenses are required for users who should make outbound calls to the PSTN, but not every user needs a calling plan if they only make calls within the Teams environment or have alternate PSTN connectivity options such as Direct Routing.
Which of these features requires a Phone System license?
- A) Custom hold music
- B) Auto attendants
- C) Call queues
- D) All of the above
D) All of the above
Custom hold music, auto attendants, and call queues are advanced features that require a Phone System license in Teams.
True or False: Resource accounts that are used for auto attendants and call queues need licenses assigned.
- 6) True
Resource accounts used for auto attendants and call queues require licenses to be fully functional within Microsoft Teams.
Which add-on license is needed for dial-in capabilities in Microsoft Teams meetings?
- A) Teams Exploratory
- B) Audio Conferencing
- C) Domestic Calling Plan
- D) Phone System
B) Audio Conferencing
Audio Conferencing licenses are necessary for dial-in capabilities so participants can join Teams meetings by calling in from a regular phone.
True or False: Microsoft 365 Business Voice is a cloud-based telephony solution in Microsoft Teams for small and medium-sized businesses.
- 8) True
Microsoft 365 Business Voice is an all-in-one telephony solution within Microsoft Teams designed for small and medium-sized businesses, incorporating a Phone System, Calling Plan, and Audio Conferencing.
Who requires a Phone System and Calling Plan license for outbound and inbound PSTN calling in Microsoft Teams?
- A) Every Teams user
- B) Users who manage resource accounts
- C) Resource account itself
- D) Users who need to make and receive PSTN calls
D) Users who need to make and receive PSTN calls
Only the users who require the ability to make and receive PSTN calls need both a Phone System and a Calling Plan license.
True or False: A Microsoft Teams Room device does not require any additional licensing beyond the standard Teams license.
- 10) False
Microsoft Teams Room devices require a specific Teams Rooms license or a combination of other licenses properly configured for the device to operate within the Teams environment.
Can Direct Routing be used as an alternative to a Microsoft Calling Plan?
- A) Yes, but a Phone System license is still required.
- B) No, Direct Routing and a Microsoft Calling Plan are mandatory.
- C) Yes, and it negates the need for any other type of license.
- D) No, Direct Routing is only for data services.
A) Yes, but a Phone System license is still required.
Direct Routing allows an organization to connect their own phone system to Teams, serving as an alternative to Microsoft’s Calling Plan, but a Phone System license is still necessary for users.
True or False: If an organization uses Direct Routing exclusively, they do not need to assign any Microsoft-provided PSTN services or licenses.
- 12) False
Even with Direct Routing, users still need a Phone System license to access full calling features in Teams. Additional PSTN services may depend on the organization’s needs.
Interview Questions
What is a calling plan in Microsoft Teams?
A calling plan in Microsoft Teams provides the ability to make and receive calls to and from the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
What licensing options include calling plans for Microsoft Teams?
The licensing options that include calling plans for Microsoft Teams include Microsoft 365 Business Voice, Microsoft 365 E5, and Phone System add-on licenses.
What features are included in Microsoft 365 Business Voice?
Microsoft 365 Business Voice includes basic calling features and audio conferencing.
What features are included in Microsoft 365 E5?
Microsoft 365 E5 includes advanced security and compliance features, as well as calling and Phone System capabilities.
What is a resource account in Microsoft Teams?
A resource account in Microsoft Teams represents a conference room, equipment, or other shared resource.
What licensing is required for resource accounts in Microsoft Teams?
To use resource accounts in Microsoft Teams, virtual user licenses are required.
What are virtual user licenses in Microsoft Teams?
Virtual user licenses in Microsoft Teams provide access to Teams functionality without consuming a full user license.
Can virtual user licenses be assigned to resource accounts in Microsoft Teams?
Yes, virtual user licenses can be assigned to resource accounts in Microsoft Teams.
What is the Phone System add-on license for Microsoft Teams?
The Phone System add-on license for Microsoft Teams provides access to Phone System capabilities, such as call routing and forwarding.
How do I assign licenses to users in Microsoft Teams?
You can assign licenses to users in Microsoft Teams through the Microsoft 365 admin center.
How do I assign virtual user licenses to resource accounts in Microsoft Teams?
You can assign virtual user licenses to resource accounts in Microsoft Teams through the Microsoft Teams admin center.
How can I determine which licensing option is right for my organization’s calling needs?
To determine the appropriate licensing option for your organization’s calling needs, you’ll need to review the specific features included in each option and choose the one that best meets your organization’s needs.
Can I use a calling plan with an on-premises PBX system?
Yes, you can use a calling plan with an on-premises PBX system through direct routing.
What are the benefits of virtual user licenses in Microsoft Teams?
The benefits of virtual user licenses in Microsoft Teams include the ability to provide access to Teams functionality without consuming a full user license, as well as the ability to manage resource accounts.
How can I manage licenses and resource accounts in Microsoft Teams?
You can manage licenses and resource accounts in Microsoft Teams through the Microsoft Teams admin center and the Microsoft 365 admin center.
What licenses are necessary for enabling the Phone System in Microsoft Teams?
Do we need additional licenses for resource accounts in Teams?
Is the Common Area Phone license sufficient for shared devices?
Thank you for this informative blog post!
Can emergency calling be enabled without additional licensing?
Is there a way to minimize costs for calling plans in Teams?
I’m having issues assigning Phone System licenses. Any advice?
Can the same license be used for a user and a resource account?