In short
Operator Connect is a Microsoft programme that connects Teams Phone to the phone network through a Microsoft-certified operator, enabled in the Teams admin centre. Users need Teams Phone licences; the operator provides the numbers, calling and PSTN support. It supports user, auto attendant, call queue and conferencing numbers. Forever Systems can quote Teams calling with your numbers kept.
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What Operator Connect is
Operator Connect is one of Microsoft's four ways to connect Teams Phone to the public phone network. Microsoft describes it (opens in a new tab) as a simplified deployment in which the operator manages the phone network infrastructure while administrators manage users from the Teams admin centre.
Microsoft positions it as a good choice for an organisation that wants a managed connection without deploying and maintaining its own Session Border Controllers, or that wants to stay with an operator that already offers it.
How Operator Connect works
Microsoft's planning guide sets out four onboarding steps:
- Prerequisites. Users hold Teams Phone licences and are in Teams Only mode, and an administrator has the permissions to manage Teams Phone.
- A certified operator. One that serves the countries where the users are.
- Numbers. New numbers from the operator, existing numbers ported, or users moved from another Teams calling option.
- Enablement. The operator is enabled in the Teams admin centre and its numbers are assigned to users.
Who is responsible for what
Microsoft calls Operator Connect a shared responsibility between Microsoft and the operator, and lists each side's part:
| Microsoft is responsible for | The operator is responsible for |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Teams services | PSTN connectivity |
| Teams Phone administration | Telephone number provisioning and porting |
| The Teams admin centre | Calling services |
| The integration between Teams and Operator Connect | PSTN-related support and troubleshooting |
In practice a calling fault goes to the operator, under the operator's own contract terms, while users and numbers are managed in Teams.
Not sure which option fits? Ask us
Tell us what you need and we will recommend the right option for your organisation, with a quote.
Number types
Microsoft's connectivity guidance confirms that Operator Connect supports all three kinds of Teams number: user numbers, voice application numbers for auto attendants and call queues, and Audio Conferencing numbers. Microsoft's Standard Audio Conferencing licence also includes Operator Connect Conferencing, which lets an operator supply the dial-in numbers for meetings.
Choosing an operator
Microsoft lists the participating operators and the countries each one serves, and its planning guide suggests weighing:
- Country and regional availability
- Phone number availability and porting support
- Calling plans and service offerings
- Existing business relationships
Operators join and change their coverage, so tell us where your users are and we will check the current list for you when we quote.
Is Teams calling the right fit for you?
We will check it against your systems and requirements and recommend the right option.
Operator Connect and our Teams calling service
| Operator Connect | Our Teams calling service | |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft model | Operator Connect | Direct Routing, run as a service |
| Session Border Controller on your site | None | None |
| Numbers | The operator's, new or ported | Your existing numbers kept, or new numbers |
| Where numbers are assigned | The Teams admin centre | Assigned for you during set-up |
| Teams Phone licence | Needed for each user | Needed for each user, and supplied with the service |
| Existing phone systems and analogue lines | Microsoft points to Direct Routing for these | Direct Routing can connect them |
Microsoft supports mixing the options in one tenant. Teams calling describes our service, and Operator Connect vs Direct Routing vs Calling Plans compares every option. Contact us for a Teams calling quote.
Sources (checked 11 November 2026): Microsoft Learn, "Plan for Operator Connect", "PSTN connectivity options" and "Microsoft Teams add-on licenses".
How Forever Systems helps with Teams Phone
Forever Systems can quote and set up Microsoft Teams Phone for your organisation and connect it to the phone network.
- Licence and calling check: we look at the Microsoft 365 plan you hold and recommend the Teams Phone licences and calling option that fit
- Numbers kept: we plan and manage the porting of your existing numbers
- Call flows set up: auto attendants, call queues and opening hours built and tested with you
- Works with what you use: the Teams apps on desktop and mobile
- Licensing in one place: licences can be billed monthly, with terms confirmed at quote
We work with businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations. Pricing depends on users, licences and calling, so ask us for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is Operator Connect in Microsoft Teams?
Operator Connect is a way to connect Teams Phone to the public phone network through a Microsoft-certified operator. The organisation enables the operator in the Teams admin centre and assigns its numbers, and the operator provides calling, porting and PSTN support.
Do I need a Teams Phone licence for Operator Connect?
Yes. Microsoft requires users to hold Teams Phone licences and to be in Teams Only mode. A Microsoft Calling Plan is not needed, because the operator provides the calling under its own contract.
What is the difference between Operator Connect and Direct Routing?
With Operator Connect the operator has already integrated with Microsoft, so it is enabled in the Teams admin centre. Direct Routing connects a carrier of your choice through a certified Session Border Controller, which you, an integrator or a provider runs.
Can existing numbers be kept with Operator Connect?
Usually. Microsoft lists porting existing numbers as one of the ways to plan numbers for Operator Connect, and the operator is responsible for number provisioning and porting.
Which operators offer Operator Connect in the UK?
Microsoft lists the participating operators and the countries and regions each one serves, and the list changes as operators join. Tell us where your users are and we will check it for you when we quote.
Still have a question about Teams calling?
Ask us and a member of our team will get back to you.