Microsoft Teams phone system: SIP trunking (£10/month). Replace IP systems. Certified phones: Yealink, Poly, AudioCodes. Features: auto-attendant, call forwarding, voicemail. AMVIA.
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Can Microsoft Teams replace your traditional phone system and how do you set it up? Increase home working past 18 months made companies look closely collaboration apps like Microsoft Teams. Robust cloud-based software suite allows users schedule on-the-spot meetings, make calls inside outside organisation, send instant messages, much more. Teams integrates seamlessly other Microsoft 365 applications, easy users collaborate, share documents stay organised. Natural progression using Teams collaboration suite expand platform replace legacy phone system. Teams YES—can configure manage both incoming outgoing calls. Teams more capable replacing standard IP phone system. May need make changes incoming phone lines because Teams uses SIP protocol, not compatible legacy ISDN lines. SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) designed transfer data VoIP communication. Like HTTP web pages; simply provides set rules (protocols) transmitting voice data along cable. SIP trunking refers number phone lines shared between users. Single cable handle several phone calls simultaneously. Channels not physical lines. Available major telecoms providers, Microsoft themselves. Relatively cheap—as little £10/month per channel, discounts block purchases. Teams phone provides auto-attendant, conference calling, call forwarding, call queuing, hold music, voicemail. Install Teams app any device. Teams certified handsets (Yealink MP56/MP58, Poly CCX 400/500/600, AudioCodes C435/C448/C470) provide full features. Compatible SIP phones limited functionality. Small/mid-size businesses: Teams replaces IP systems. Sophisticated needs (call grouping, recording): limited. AMVIA provides SIP configuration, phone system implementation, certification, training, 24/7 support.
Increase in home working over past 18 months made companies look more closely at collaboration apps like Microsoft Teams.
Teams is robust cloud-based software suite that allows users schedule on-the-spot meetings, make calls both inside and outside organisation, send instant messages and much more. Because Teams integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 applications, it is easy for users collaborate, share documents and stay organised.
This guide explains how Microsoft Teams can replace your phone system, SIP trunking requirements, phone hardware options, and configuration process.
You can configure Teams manage both incoming and outgoing calls, so Microsoft Teams is more capable replacing standard IP phone system.
But use Teams this way, you may need make changes your incoming phone lines because Microsoft Teams uses SIP protocol, which is not compatible legacy ISDN lines.
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is designed transfer data for VoIP communication. Think it like HTTP for web pages; it simply provides set rules (protocols) for transmitting voice data along cable.
SIP capabilities:
You will often see SIP referred as SIP trunking. Trunking part refers the number phone lines shared between users. Because single cable can handle several phone calls simultaneously, individual SIP lines are bundled together as trunks.
Trunking advantages:
With SIP, each line is called channel because it's not physical line. You can have as many channels as you need. Only limiting factor is size your internet connection.
Channel flexibility:
SIP channels are available from all major telecoms providers and even Microsoft themselves. These relatively cheap compared ISDN. Cost can be as little £10 per month per channel, with discounts available for block purchases.
Pricing structure:
Once you have SIP trunking installed, it's relatively simple process set Teams up handle incoming and outgoing calls. If you have some PowerShell experience, you can this yourself. If not, any good telecoms provider can do it for you.
Configuration steps:
Yes and no, Teams is easy use phone system that offers enough functionality replace standard IP phone system for most small businesses.
Teams excellent for:
However, if you have more sophisticated needs, such as call grouping, routing, and recording, Microsoft Teams cannot provide this functionally out box. Teams is still relatively new platform with new features added all time.
Limitations:
Teams is fully integrated IP phone system that allows you make and receive calls, send instant messages and provide status updates on your smartphone, laptop, desktop, or via traditional handset.
Core capabilities:
Main advantage Teams ability connect platform more than 1000 other apps aid collaboration. Popular apps include MS Outlook, MS Word, Adobe CC, GitHub, Trello, ServiceNow and Twitter.
Integration benefits:
Use platform, you will need install Teams app on any device you want use it on. Once installed, app provides you with softphone that works like any other phone system, providing you with standard phone capabilities such as:
Standard phone features included:
You can use device's built-in microphone make and receive calls, but this impractical in business setting because everyone else will able hear conversation; this can be solved by adding Teams compatible headset.
Headset benefits:
Alternatively, you can install Teams compatible IP handset. Handsets will provide same functionality and integrations as softphone, but it looks and works same as traditional desk phone.
Handset advantages:
You can install Microsoft Teams app on any MS, IOS or Android smartphone. App will provide you with all features Teams in palm your hand.
Alternatively, you can install one many compatible third party IP handsets available. There are two options here; Certified Microsoft Teams phones and Microsoft Teams compatible phones.
These phones designed specifically for use with Microsoft Teams. They allow users access all features platform via handset. Certified Teams phones are available as either desk or conference phones.
Certified phone features:
Following Microsoft Certified Teams phones are available:
If you already have SIP phone that is not specifically designed for use with Microsoft Teams, you may still be able use this handset make and receive calls through Teams platform.
Compatible phone limitations:
However, you will not have access full suite applications like you do with Certified Teams phone. Not having full application suite will somewhat limit your use platform, so if cost is not an issue, it is worth using Certified Microsoft Teams handsets.
AMVIA provides comprehensive Microsoft Teams phone system implementation:
Complete Teams phone deployment:
Certified phone selection and deployment:
Comprehensive Teams phone training:
Start assessing current phone system. What are main pain points? What features most critical? What's annual cost?
Next, evaluate Teams phone fit. Does Teams meet calling needs? What SIP trunking options available? What hardware required?
Then, plan migration. What timeline appropriate? How phase rollout? What training needed?
Finally, implement and optimize. Work with provider configure SIP. Deploy phones. Train users. Contact AMVIA begin Teams phone journey.
Need expert help implementing Microsoft Teams phone system and SIP trunking for your organization? Contact AMVIA specialists: 0333 733 8050 (direct to experts, no voicemail) or request consultation. We provide comprehensive Microsoft Teams phone system assessment, SIP trunk configuration, certified phone procurement, auto-attendant setup, user training, 24/7 support. Discover how AMVIA's human-first approach delivers Teams phone solutions replacing legacy systems—with £10/month SIP channels, certified Yealink/Poly/AudioCodes handsets, and complete calling features (call forwarding, queuing, voicemail) enabling your organization transform communications at fraction traditional phone system cost.
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