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Currently I have Exchange Server 2019.I am planning to upgrade to Exchange Server SE version.
Could anyone confirm if Exchange Server SE version is only available through Volume licensing channel?
If I have Exchange Server 2019 CALs, can I utilize it if I upgrade server to Exchange Server SE?
Or should i purchase Exchange Server SE CAL again?
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Hi @milo last
Thank you for posting question to Microsoft Q&A.
According to this issue, I have done some research on this - please have a look at this screenshot:
Reference: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/upgrading-your-organization-from-current-versions-to-exchange-server-se/4241305
This confirms that Exchange Server SE requires you to maintain an active subscription either by licensing every accessing user/device with qualifying cloud subscriptions such as Microsoft 365 E3/E5, certain Office 365 plans, or Exchange Online plans that include CAL equivalency, or by using the traditional server plus CAL model under Volume Licensing with active Software Assurance.
In practice, that means your existing Exchange Server 2019 CALs are valid for SE only if they’re covered by Software Assurance; if not, you must either acquire SE server and CALs with SA or cover all users/devices with qualifying cloud subscriptions.
I hope this information is helpful - please let me know if you have any further questions.
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Thanks a lot for the clarification. I have Business Premium users. So should they purchase separate CAL licenses to access exchange server SE. Also could you confirm if this license can only be purchased through Volume Licensing? Is it not available through CSP model?
Hi @milo last
Thank you for your question.
Based on my research, please check on my article:
https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/product/CALandMLEquivalencyLicenses/all
Purchase channel: The page lists Exchange Server SE and its CALs as available under Enterprise Agreement (EA/EAS), MPSA, and Open Value/OVS programs. It does not list CSP as an option for the on‑premises server/CAL SKUs. This means you cannot buy Exchange SE server or CAL licenses through CSP; they are only available via Volume Licensing programs.
CAL equivalency: The Product Terms also link to the “CAL and ML Equivalency” section, which specifies which Microsoft 365 or Office 365 subscriptions provide rights to access on‑premises Exchange. Plans like Microsoft 365 E3/E5 and Office 365 E1/E3/E5 are included, but Microsoft 365 Business Premium is not listed. Therefore, Business Premium users do not have CAL equivalency for Exchange SE.
Please let me know if you have any further questions or accept this answer if you found it partially helpful.
Hi @milo last
I hope this comment finds you well.
May I know if you have any further questions?
I am looking forward to your reply.
Hi @milo last
It has been a while since your last approach.
May I know if you have any further questions?
I am looking forward to your reply.