Email license

Question

Hi Team,

This is <PII: Moderator removed> from <PII: Moderator removed>, part of the Sales team. I’m reaching out to seek guidance regarding email infrastructure and licensing options available through Microsoft.

Currently, we are using GoDaddy’s email server to run our outbound sales communications. However, while sending approximately 150–300 emails per day — even with a 1-minute interval between each email — our accounts are getting blocked. This issue is impacting not only me but our entire sales team. We have consulted GoDaddy support, and they recommended moving to a third-party email tool, which we are not inclined to adopt at this time.

Instead, we are exploring the option of purchasing Microsoft email server licenses to securely run our sales outreach and campaign activities without deliverability or blocking challenges.

Could you please share details on the available Microsoft licensing plans, pricing structure, sending limits, and the best-fit solution for outbound sales campaigns?

Answer 1

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Dear @Bhanu Sree Neelapu,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Forum!

Thank you for explaining your current challenge with outbound sales emails and the blocking you’re experiencing on your existing mail platform. I’d like to clarify how Microsoft positions this scenario and outline your available options, so you can make an informed decision.

1.Using Exchange Server (on‑premises) to send outbound / bulk email:

From a technical perspective, Exchange Server (on‑premises) can send outbound email to the internet, including higher volumes, provided it is properly authenticated. Microsoft explains this in the Exchange Team blog below, which focuses on outbound email authentication and deliverability:

Authenticate Outbound Email to Improve Deliverability

Please kindly review it carefully, paying special attention to any cautions or notes.

This article states that:

• Exchange Server can send outbound email directly to external recipients.
• Proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential to avoid rejection or spam classification by providers such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook.com.
• Authentication helps improve deliverability, but it does not guarantee inbox placement for bulk or sales-style email.

So, technically, Exchange Server on‑premises can be used to send bulk or campaign-style email, and Microsoft documents this capability.

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2.Important: Exchange Server still has built‑in throttling and rate limits:

Even when running Exchange on‑premises, Microsoft applies message rate limits and throttling controls at the server, connector, and user levels to protect the system from overload. Microsoft documents these limits here:

Message rate limits and throttling | Microsoft Learn

This documentation explains that Exchange Server enforces:

• Message submission rate limits
• SMTP connection limits
• Per‑connector and per‑user message rate limits
• Back‑pressure mechanisms when system resources are under stress

These controls mean:

• Exchange Server is not an unlimited bulk‑email engine
• Sustained high‑volume or campaign‑style sending can still be slowed, queued, or temporarily throttled
• These limits protect server stability, not deliverability reputation

In addition, external email providers (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook.com, etc.) independently apply their own spam filtering, reputation scoring, and rate limiting which are outside Microsoft’s control.

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However, currently, Microsoft does not publicly disclose exact pricing for on-premises Exchange Server licenses, as costs vary based on factors like volume, region, purchase program (such as Open License, Enterprise Agreement), and whether you're buying new, renewing Software Assurance (SA), or opting for Extended Security Updates (ESU).

For the most accurate and up to date pricing information, I recommend contacting Microsoft directly via your account manager or regional licensing support: Contact Volume Licensing Support

Once again, I would like to note that Microsoft’s guidance is consistent across its documentation for Exchange Server (on‑premises): Bulk email is technically possible, but customers are fully responsible for:

• IP and domain reputation
• Authentication (SPF/DKIM/DMARC)
• Managing throttling and queues
• Handling blocks or blacklisting by external mail providers

Because of these risks, Microsoft recommends using purpose‑built services for high‑volume external email.

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3.I also want to introduce a recommended alternative: Azure Communication Services (ACS) Email:

For outbound sales, campaign, or high‑volume external email, Microsoft recommends considering: Azure Communication Services (ACS) Email

ACS Email is designed specifically for:

• High‑volume transactional and bulk email
• External recipients
• Scalable sending without Exchange mailbox limitations
• Separation of sales/campaign traffic from corporate mailboxes

This approach reduces the risk of:

• Impacting normal business email
• Server throttling issues
• Long‑term deliverability and reputation damage

Please kindly consult more information in these articles to decide the best way for your business:

• Introducing Exchange Online Tenant Outbound Email Limits
• Email pricing in Azure Communication Services
• Azure Communication Services pricing

I hope this information can help you. Wish you health and success!

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Answer 2

To address your email infrastructure and licensing needs with Microsoft, you can consider the following options:

Microsoft 365 Licensing Plans

1. Microsoft 365 Business Standard: This plan includes the desktop versions of Microsoft 365 apps and is suitable for small businesses. It allows for sending emails through Outlook and includes features for managing email communications effectively.
2. Microsoft 365 Business Premium: This plan offers all the features of Business Standard, plus additional security and device management capabilities, which can be beneficial for sales teams.
3. Office 365 E3/E5: These plans are designed for larger enterprises and include advanced compliance and security features. They also support high-volume email sending, which may be suitable for your needs.

Sending Limits and Considerations

• High Volume Email (HVE): If you anticipate sending a large number of emails (like your current volume of 150-300 per day), you may want to look into High Volume Email capabilities within Microsoft 365. However, you need to ensure that certain settings, such as AllowBasicAuthSmtp, are enabled to avoid issues with email deliverability.
• Recipient Limits: Microsoft 365 typically allows up to 50 recipients per message, which should be considered when planning your outreach campaigns.
• Security and Compliance: Microsoft 365 emphasizes security and compliance, which can help mitigate risks associated with email deliverability and account blocking.

Pricing Structure

Pricing varies based on the plan selected and the number of users. You can find detailed pricing information directly on the Microsoft website or through authorized partners.

Given your current challenges with GoDaddy, transitioning to Microsoft 365 could provide a more reliable and secure solution for your sales outreach efforts without the risk of account blocking.

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References:

• Understand licensing in new Outlook for Windows
• Manage high volume emails for Microsoft 365 Public preview