Microsoft Teams direct routing providers have evolved rapidly in the last few years. When Microsoft’s direct routing service officially became “generally available” in 2018, there were a handful of partners available, with only 2 certified SBC vendors for on-premises hosting. 

Now, there are dozens of reputable companies aligned with Microsoft, all committed to helping businesses access their required telephony features within Teams. With the right direct routing provider, companies can conveniently and reliably leverage all the benefits of their existing phone system provider. 

As companies around the world continue to search for a flexible way to build the ideal communication stack, with single-pane-of-glass functionality, direct routing has grown increasingly popular. Around 80-90% of Teams users were expecting to leverage direct routing to access Teams voice in 2020. This means a large number of companies have begun recognizing the importance of offering access to Microsoft Teams voice through their own direct routing service. 

Here’s what you need to know if you’re looking for the ideal Microsoft Teams direct routing providers to support your transformation strategy.

What do Microsoft Teams Direct Routing Providers Do?

Microsoft Teams direct routing makes building your communication stack within Teams as simple as possible. All you need to do is connect a supported SBC (Session Border Controller) to the Microsoft Phone System, and you can configure PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) access within the Microsoft Teams client. 

All of Microsoft’s direct routing SBC partners have been tested extensively by Microsoft, to ensure their systems are compatible with Microsoft technology. Microsoft works with each vendor in its ever-growing list to:

  • Work collaboratively on reliable SIP interconnection protocols
  • Perform tests using third-party labs
  • Run daily tests with all certified devices in pre-production and production environments.
  • Guarantee new versions of direct routing codes will work with certified SBCs
  • Establish joint support processes

Crucially, Microsoft only provides Phone System support with direct routing when you’re using certified devices. If you have an issue with the functionality of your direct routing system, you’ll need to contact your SBC’s customer support network first, and they’ll accelerate the issue to Microsoft through internal channels if necessary. 

Who are the Current Microsoft Teams Direct Routing Providers?

As Microsoft Teams continues to gain popularity around the world as one of the number-one choices for an all-in-one hybrid work environment, the number of direct routing providers is growing. You can find a complete list of solutions certified for direct routing here. 

The direct routing providers currently available at the time of writing include:

Certified SBC Vendors

  • AudioCodes: Mediant 500, 800, 2600, 4000, 1000B, 9000 SBCs, Virtual Edition SBC, and Mediant Cloud Edition SBC. 
  • Avaya: Avaya Session Border Controller for Enterprise 
  • Cisco: Cisco Unified Border Element for 1000 Series, 4000 Series, 1000V series, 1000 series, and Catalyst 8000 Edge platforms. 
  • Ribbon Communications: SBC 5100/5110, 5200/5210, 5400, 7000, SWe, 1000, 2000, SWe Lite, and EdgeMarc Series, 
  • Thinktel: Think 365 SBC
  • Oracle, AP 1100, 3900, 4600, 6300, 6350, 3950, 4900, and VME
  • TE-Systems: Anynode
  • Metaswitch: Perimeta SBC
  • Nokia: Nokia SBC
  • Italtel: NetMatch-S CI
  • Cataleya: Orchid Link
  • Ericsson: Vsbc 2.16
  • Atos: Atos Unify Openscape
  • ULTATEL: Teams SBC
  • Enghouse Networks: Dialogic BorderNet
  • Patton Electronics: patton Smartnode
  • Ekinops: ONESBC, and ONEvSBC
  • M5 Technologies: Mediatrix Sentinel
  • 46 Labs LLC: Hyperconverged Voice
  • Frafos: ABC SBC

Local Media Optimisation 

If you want local media optimization included with your direct routing package there are fewer options available. This service allows you to manage voice quality in your ecosystem more effectively by controlling how media traffic flows between your SBCs and Teams clients. You can also keep media local within corporate subnet networks, and allow for media streams between SBCs and Teams clients even if the SBCs are behind firewalls.

Local Media optimization is ideal if you want to centralize all local trunks through a central SBC connected to your main SIP trunk, or build a virtual network topology of SBCs. 

Microsoft Teams direct routing providers offering local media optimisation include:

  • AudioCodes
  • Ribbon SBC Core
  • Ribbon SBC Edge
  • TE-Systems
  • Oracle
  • Avaya

Exploring Microsoft Teams Direct Routing Options

With the number of direct routing providers for Microsoft Teams now growing at an exceptional rate, it’s important to make sure you consider all of your options carefully. Keep in mind, different providers will be able to offer additional features and benefits, such as:

  • Trunking and SIP numbers: Going beyond the standard SBC connection, some partners can provide SIP numbers and trunking, for a more comprehensive carrier solution, intended for companies spread across a wide geography. 
  • Hybrid SBC: This is a form of direct routing solution for Microsoft Teams which helps to connect both old and new-world SBCs. With a hybrid offering, you can connect local trunks to SBCs in the cloud, which can allow for a more flexible environment. 
  • Full UCaaS platforms: Full UCaaS platform providers may allow you to take full advantage of a comprehensive business phone system. Some providers are even offering ways to combine UCaaS and CCaaS technology, so you can have all of the tools you need for communication in one landscape.

Notably, while it is possible to choose non-certified direct routing providers to connect your communication solution to Teams, you won’t get the same support from Microsoft. 

This could lead to problems if you struggle with getting the right service from your direct routing provider. If your provider isn’t certified, ensure they can deliver the level of service you need to keep your direct routing strategy running smoothly.

You can also consider taking an alternative approach and using Operator Connect if you’d like to avoid some of the complexity and coding associated with direct routing. Operator Connect allows you to access a lot of the same functionality as Direct Routing, but with a managed service provider approach. 

Which Provider is Right for You?

Direct Routing continues to be one of the most popular ways to unlock the full benefits of Microsoft Teams, and build an all-in-one environment for digitally-transformed communications. With a host of direct routing providers now certified by Microsoft, and a range of other options out there, you’re sure to find a provider capable of delivering the service you need. 

Don’t forget to check out our full guide to Microsoft Teams direct routing for more advice if you’re struggling with finding the right provider. 

 

 



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