Does Microsoft Teams Have VoIP? How Teams Voice over IP and Teams Phone Work
Yes. Calls between Teams users already run over the internet. To call ordinary phone numbers you add Teams Phone and a way to connect to the phone network. Here is how it works.
Yes. Calls between Teams users in an organisation are handled inside Teams over the internet, which is voice over IP, and never touch the public phone network. To call ordinary phone numbers, a user needs a Teams Phone licence plus a PSTN connection: a Microsoft Calling Plan, Operator Connect, Teams Phone Mobile or Direct Routing.
Quick answer
Microsoft's own pages don't use the word "VoIP". They say internal calls are "handled natively within Teams, and never go to the PSTN"; "voice over IP" is our plain-English label for that. Last checked 22 October 2026.
Can Microsoft Teams make calls to regular phone numbers?
Yes, with Teams Phone. Microsoft describes Teams Phone as its "technology for enabling call control and Private Branch Exchange (PBX) capabilities in the Microsoft 365 cloud". A PSTN solution, separate from the Teams Phone licence, adds the phone numbers and access to domestic, international and emergency calling.
What is Teams Phone?
Teams Phone is Microsoft's add-on that turns Teams into a cloud phone system (PBX). Microsoft says it lets you replace your existing PBX system with features delivered from the same platform as your Microsoft 365 tools.
What are the ways to connect Teams to the phone network?
Microsoft lists four PSTN connectivity options, and you can combine them:
- Calling Plan: Microsoft is your phone operator.
- Operator Connect: a certified third-party operator, switched on in the Teams admin center.
- Teams Phone Mobile: a certified mobile operator; your SIM's mobile number is also your Teams number.
- Direct Routing: any operator, connected through a certified Session Border Controller.
Do calls between Teams users cost anything extra?
Microsoft says internal calls between Teams users stay inside Teams and never go to the PSTN, "removing operator toll costs for calls that stay internal". Licence costs still apply, so check current pricing with Microsoft.
Is VoIP in Teams good enough to replace a desk phone system?
Microsoft positions Teams Phone as a PBX replacement, and certified Teams phones and meeting-room devices can make phone calls. Whether it suits you depends on your internet connection and which PSTN option is available in your country. Test your line first with our free VoIP speed test.
Sources
Checked 22 October 2026 on Microsoft Learn: PSTN connectivity options, Teams Phone and Calling Plans.
Frequently asked questions
Does Microsoft Teams have VoIP?
Yes. Calls between Teams users run inside Teams over the internet. To call ordinary phone numbers you also need Teams Phone and a PSTN connection.
What do I need to call phone numbers from Teams?
A Teams Phone licence plus one PSTN option: a Microsoft Calling Plan, Operator Connect, Teams Phone Mobile or Direct Routing.
What is the difference between Calling Plan and Direct Routing?
With a Calling Plan, Microsoft is your phone operator. With Direct Routing, you connect your own operator to Teams through a certified Session Border Controller.
Are Teams-to-Teams calls free?
Microsoft says calls that stay inside Teams avoid operator toll costs, but you still pay for the Teams licences. Check current pricing with Microsoft.
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