Meetings, calling, and chat

This article provides an overview of meeting, calling, and chat capabilities available in Microsoft 365 A5 for education, focusing on how advanced applications empower educational institutions to enhance communication and collaboration.

Requirements

• Microsoft 365 A5 license

Roles and responsibilities

• IT Admin
• Identity Admin
• OneDrive Admin
• SharePoint Admin
• EXO Admin
• Security Admin
• Compliance Admin

Teams Audio Conferencing

What is Microsoft Teams Audio Conferencing?

Microsoft Teams Audio Conferencing enables participants to join Teams meetings using a traditional telephone line. This is useful in educational settings where internet access might be limited or where users prefer or require a phone-based option. Participants can:

• Dial in to a meeting using a toll or toll-free number.
• Dial out from the meeting to add others by phone.
• Use the “call me at” feature to have Teams call their phone directly.

This functionality is part of Microsoft’s broader PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) conferencing capabilities and is distinct from Teams Phone, which is a more comprehensive telephony solution.

Teams Audio Conferencing makes it easier for schools and universities to support hybrid learning environments, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff can join meetings even without internet access.

Licensing in education:

• Microsoft 365 A5 includes Audio Conferencing by default.
• Microsoft 365 A3 requires a separate Audio Conferencing add-on license.

Key features for education:

• Accessibility: Supports inclusive learning by allowing students and educators to join meetings from any phone.
• Flexibility: Useful for remote areas or during outages where internet access is unreliable.
• Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Teams meetings, automatically including dial-in details in meeting invites.
• Security and compliance: Managed through Microsoft 365 admin center with support for compliance and reporting.

Deployment considerations:

• Confirm regional availability of Audio Conferencing numbers.
• Assign appropriate licenses to users who schedule or lead meetings.
• Optionally configure toll-free numbers and third-party operator options via Operator Connect.

Teams Phone Standard

What is Microsoft Teams Phone Standard?

Microsoft Teams Phone Standard is an add-on license for Microsoft Teams that enables cloud-based telephony capabilities. It transforms Teams into a full-featured Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system, allowing users to make and receive calls over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) directly from Teams.

Key features:

• Cloud voicemail
• Call forwarding and transfer
• Auto attendants and call queues
• Caller ID and call history
• Integration with Teams-certified desk phones and mobile devices

Application in education:

• Faculty and staff communication: Enables secure and flexible calling across campuses, remote locations, and hybrid environments.
• Administrative operations: Streamlines communication for registrars, IT help desks, and support teams.
• Parent and community engagement: Facilitates direct calling to and from external stakeholders without requiring separate telephony systems.

It's useful in K-12 and higher education settings where centralized communication and cost-effective telephony are priorities.

Licensing for education:

• Microsoft 365 A5 includes Teams Phone Standard capabilities.
• Microsoft 365 A3 users can purchase Teams Phone Standard as an add-on.
• Calling Plans (domestic or international) are required to connect to PSTN, unless using Direct Routing or Operator Connect.

Deployment models:

• Microsoft Calling Plans – Microsoft provides the phone numbers and PSTN access.
• Direct Routing – Institutions use their own Session Border Controller (SBC) to connect to PSTN.
• Operator Connect – A certified telecom operator provides PSTN access integrated into Teams.

Supported devices and management:

• Teams-certified desk phones and conference devices
• Mobile and desktop apps
• Centralized management via the Teams Admin Center, including device health monitoring and policy enforcement.