Glossary
Operator Connect
A Teams Phone connectivity option where a Microsoft-certified telecoms operator provides PSTN connectivity.
Operator Connect is the Teams Phone PSTN connectivity option where a Microsoft-certified telecoms operator provides phone numbers and SIP connectivity, with native integration into the Teams admin center. From the customer's side, configuration is browser-based — no SBC to operate. Microsoft has certified hundreds of operators globally (BT, Verizon, NTT, Tata, Lumen, KDDI, and many regional operators). Compared to Microsoft Calling Plans (Microsoft is the carrier, limited geographic coverage) and Direct Routing (customer brings own SBC and carrier, maximum flexibility, more ops burden), Operator Connect is the modern middle path: pick your carrier, skip the SBC operations.