Microsoft has launched a new programme to help carriers get Operator Connect approval quicker.

Operator Connect Accelerator will see carriers and service providers work with certified partners to get accreditation, with these partners providing services around API integration, sales enablement, provisioning and billing.

Taimoor Husain, Modern Workplace Strategy and GTM Lead for Telcos at Microsoft, said: “Operator Connect Accelerator is designed to help service providers dramatically improve the time it takes to deploy their telecom services for Teams, reducing time-to-market and making it easier for businesses to adopt Teams as their office phone system, replacing costly legacy equipment.”

Microsoft’s Operator Connect is an alternative to Direct Routing and lets businesses plug their existing voice services into Teams. The service is more tightly controlled than Direct Routing, with the aim to give users a better experience.

All Operator Connect carriers must be certified by Microsoft, so Operator Connect Accelerator is designed to simplify and fast-track this process.

The service can help carriers in areas they may not be familiar with, such as working with Microsoft’s API framework. It can also reduce upfront investment by leveraging the technology of authorised Operator Connect Accelerator partners.

Ribbon has already helped service providers achieve Operator Connect approval through its Ribbon Connect offering.

Tony Scarfo, EVP & General Manager of Ribbon’s Cloud & Edge Business Unit, said: “Since the launch of Microsoft Operator Connect, we have worked closely with Microsoft to build out our expertise and infrastructure to support the service.

“In addition, we have been deeply engaged globally with our service provider customers like Switch Connect and others, helping them on-board and integrate with the service, and now many are anxious to accelerate that process using the new Operator Connect Accelerator.”

 

 



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