Microsoft Calling Plans are ideal for organizations that have simple PSTN calling requirements and need to be activated quickly and easily on a per-user basis. You can also conveniently manage your communications through the Teams admin center.
Operator Connect allows organizations to add basic PSTN calling through the Teams admin center and choose their preferred carrier (from Microsoft’s approved list) to enable PSTN calling using a managed service model.
Direct Routing as a Service on the opposite end of the spectrum, gives you the freedom to choose your own telephony provider and tap into extra unified communications as a service (UCaaS) features, like advanced auto attendants, voicemail, business messaging, call recording, and contact centers for Microsoft Teams, making it the most popular option today.
These three PSTN voice deployment choices may seem similar, but on closer inspection the key differences make each model suited to specific usage scenarios. Assess your voice communications requirements and choose the option that makes the most sense for your organization.
