In today’s era of hybrid and remote work, businesses are placing a stronger emphasis on unified communications. Employees need tools that allow them to collaborate seamlessly, no matter where they are located, while organizations look for solutions that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and simplify IT management.

One of the most widely adopted platforms leading this transformation is Microsoft Teams. Already the go-to hub for chat, meetings, and file sharing, Microsoft Teams has become an integral part of daily business operations across industries.

But collaboration doesn’t end with messages and meetings. For many organizations, the next step in maximizing their potential lies in integrating telephony directly into Microsoft Teams. This is where Microsoft Teams Phone System comes in. As of 2024, Microsoft reports that more than 20 million users are leveraging Teams Phone to support their business communications, with major enterprises such as Deutsche Bank and Reed among its adopters.

With such strong momentum, now is the ideal time for organizations to explore how Microsoft Teams Phone System can modernize their telephony strategy. Making the switch not only simplifies operations but also empowers teams to stay connected, flexible, and future-ready.

What is Microsoft Teams Phone System?

Microsoft Teams Phone System is a cloud-based business telephony solution that extends the power of Microsoft Teams beyond chat and meetings. By consolidating communications into a single platform, Microsoft Teams Phone System streamlines workflows, reduces complexity, and supports the flexibility required in hybrid and remote work environments.

Types of Calls Supported:

• Internal — Connect seamlessly with colleagues within your organization, whether they are in the same office or working remotely.
• External — Reach clients, partners, and suppliers outside your organization directly.
• Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) — Make and receive calls using traditional phone lines, integrating Microsoft Teams with existing telephony infrastructure.

Key Features of Microsoft Teams Phone System:

• Advanced Call Routing — Direct calls efficiently with queues, auto attendants, and forwarding.
• Shared and Multi-User Lines — Enable teams to manage the same line or call simultaneously.
• Flexible Number Integration — Supports existing phone numbers and connection via a Session Border Controller (SBC).
• AI-Enhanced Calls — Provides AI-generated call summaries, real-time insights, and noise suppression.
• Multi-Device Access — Access calls, transcripts, captions, and recordings on any device.
• Security & Compliance Controls — Protect sensitive telephony data with end-to-end encryption, retention policies, and audit logs.
• Reliable Network — Proactive monitoring, bandwidth management, and 99.999% uptime SLA.
• High-Quality Calls — Compatible with certified devices for standardized audio quality across endpoints.

The Role of Session Border Controller

What is a Multi-Tenant Cloud Session Border Controller?

A Multi-Tenant Cloud Session Border Controller is a network device that acts as an intermediary between Microsoft Teams Phone System and external telephony networks, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or third-party voice providers. In cloud environments, multi-tenancy allows a single Session Border Controller infrastructure to securely serve multiple organizations, reducing complexity and operational costs. The Session Border Controller ensures seamless integration between Microsoft Teams and existing telephony systems by translating signaling and media protocols, enabling users to make and receive calls to traditional phone numbers while maintaining compatibility with Microsoft Teams’ cloud-based features.

Beyond integration, the Session Border Controller enhances security and call quality. It enforces security policies, encrypts voice traffic, manages sessions, and monitors network activity to keep communications secure and compliant. At the same time, it manages signaling, media streams, and bandwidth to improve call reliability, while giving administrators control over routing, prioritization, and monitoring to ensure a consistent and professional telephony experience for enterprise deployments.

Business Benefits of Microsoft Teams Phone System

Seamless Unified Communications and Collaboration

With Microsoft Teams Phone System, organizations can integrate voice calls, video conferencing, instant messaging, and meetings into a single, unified platform. By bringing all communication channels together, employees no longer need to switch between multiple apps or systems, reducing complexity and improving efficiency. This unified approach enables teams to collaborate more effectively, share information in real time, and stay connected across different departments, locations, and time zones.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Legacy Telephony

Moving to a cloud-based phone system reduces the expenses tied to maintaining on-premises PBX hardware, licensing, and service providers. For instance, ScottMadden Consulting replaced its entire legacy phone system with Microsoft Teams Phone System and saved $90,000 annually. A Forrester Total Economic Impact™ study also found that organizations deploying Microsoft Teams Phone System can realize an estimated 143% ROI, underscoring its value as a cost-efficient telephony solution.

Flexibility for Hybrid and Remote Work

Employees can make and receive calls from anywhere using Microsoft Teams Phone System, whether through desktop, mobile, or certified devices. With Session Border Controller (SBC) integration, users maintain the same office number and call experience regardless of location. This ensures seamless connectivity for hybrid and remote teams.

Scalable and Easy to Manage

Organizations can efficiently manage their telephony environment through the centralized Microsoft Teams admin portal. Administrators can quickly add or remove users, configure call routing and policies, assign phone numbers, and set up features all from a single interface. After fully replacing its legacy phone system with Microsoft Teams Phone System, ScottMadden Consulting reported seamless deployment, streamlined management, and an improved user experience across the company.

Robust Security and Compliance

Microsoft Teams Phone System is built with enterprise-grade security at its core. It includes end-to-end encryption, retention policies, and audit logging to protect sensitive telephony data. Integration with a Session Border Controller (SBC) ensures secure connectivity to external networks, while compliance features help organizations meet industry regulations. Together, these measures provide a robust, secure foundation for all voice, video, and messaging communications within the platform.

Microsoft Teams Phone System vs Legacy Phone Systems:
What Sets Them Apart

Choosing the Right Partner

When choosing a provider for Microsoft Teams Phone System, it is important to look for experience in integrating voice into Microsoft Teams, as well as end-to-end telephony expertise to manage everything from call routing and numbering plans to security and compliance. A reliable provider should also offer certified Session Border Controller deployment to ensure secure, high-quality calling and seamless connectivity between Microsoft Teams and external telephony networks.

Adventus provides a fully certified Session Border Controller infrastructure, delivering top-tier call quality, strong security, and seamless integration with Microsoft Teams. Adventus’ IP Telephony Services offer expert consultation and strategic planning tailored to your telephony environment, ensuring that your system is designed to meet your organization’s unique needs. We manage smooth implementation and configuration, minimizing disruption to your business, and provide ongoing support and optimization so your Microsoft Teams Phone System continues to operate reliably and efficiently.

Ready to modernize your communication system? Contact us today to learn how Adventus can help you implement Microsoft Teams Phone System with expert guidance, secure deployment, and continuous support.