Call (800) 707.9131 or use the chat button for a free consultation.
Your Microsoft Teams Partner
Build a complete UCaaS solution centered around Operator Connect with applications designed specifically for Microsoft Teams.
Operator Connect v. Direct Routing v. Calling Plan
Before Operator Connect, there were two ways to enable calling in Teams: Direct Routing and Calling Plan. Calling Plan was prebuilt in Teams, but it was limited and expensive. Direct Routing had more features at a better price, but it was complex to manage.
Operator Connect rolls the best aspects of Calling Plan and Direct Routing into one. Simple, affordable, feature-rich calling, prebuilt in Teams.
| Calling Plan | Operator Connect | Direct Routing | |
| Provider | Microsoft | Intrado | Microsoft Partners |
| Direct Peering in Teams |
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| Management in Teams Admin Center |
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| Number Provisioning in Teams Admin Center | Varies by Country |
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| Shared Service Level Agreement |
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| Hybrid Cloud/On-Premises Deployment |
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Varies |
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| Disaster Recovery Available | Only M365 APIs |
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Varies |
| Contact Center Integration Available | Only M365 APIs |
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Varies |
| E911 and Compliance Support Available | Only M365 APIs |
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Varies |
| Concurrent-Call Cost Model Available |  |
Varies | |
| Base Price (Per-User-Per-Month Cost Model) |
$12, £9.30, €10.80 |
From $6.95, £5.10, €6 |
Varies |
| International Calling Capability Included | x2 Base Price (PUPM) | |
Varies |
| Global Availability (Countries/Regions) | 26 | 21 + 32 Coming Soon | Varies |
PSTN inbound and outbound calling with Operator Connect is available in 36 countries.
"Throughout the rollout, the Intrado team was brilliant, both in terms of communication and technical expertise. Luca and Marcin were always there when we needed them."
Ben O'Flaherty Seddon
IT Manager
"We worked closely with Steve, whose ability to understand the challenges we faced and bring in the right individuals with the expertise and experience to deal with those challenges was invaluable."
Simon Granger
Head of Connectivity and Infrastructure
Get Started with Operator Connect
Try Operator Connect Free for 15 Days*
5 phone numbers provided on loan
First 2,000 minutes free
Implementation support
User enablement and acceptance testing
Available in U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Singapore and South Africa**
* May be extended at Intrado’s discretion upon request.
** Requests from other countries/regions may be approved on an individual basis, possibly for a fee.
Emergency services and professional services not included.
More than a Provider, Your Partner
Even among elite Microsoft Partners, not all Operator Connect solutions are made equal. Intrado brings our customized design-implementation-adoption methodology to maximize your Teams value at launch and as your business evolves.
Lifecycle Relationship
Evolves as business needs change for maximum value
Microsoft Specialists
Experts certified in 12 Microsoft Partner competencies
Managed Services
Design and implementation packages for common needs
NEW: Operator Connect Conferencing for Microsoft Teams
If you like Operator Connect for calling, you’ll like it just as much for conferencing. For the first time, host conference calls in Microsoft Teams using your preferred provider. It brings the same benefits of Operator Connect, plus more. Visit our Operator Connect Conferencing page to learn more.
Operator Connect Conferencing
Teams Calling FAQ
Can I use Microsoft Teams to talk to people outside my organization?
Anyone can join a Teams meeting, but Teams can also handle all your phone traffic with Operator Connect. This lets you call anyone via a limited number of approved providers, including Intrado.
Do I have to get rid of my on-premises PBX?
Operator Connect is fully cloud based, but Intrado also offers hybrid Direct Routing solutions, meaning you can use Teams as your phone system and integrate your existing hardware. Our professional services team makes sure everything works together.
Doesn't Microsoft offer calling? Why shouldn't I get all this from them directly?
Microsoft offers a calling plan, but they're not calling specialists. They created Direct Routing and Operator Connect due to demand for calling partners. Choose Intrado to consolidate under one provider, improve disaster recovery, expand coverage and access specialized features like compliance recording, license advisory, managed services, E911, e-learning and premier support.
Does Operator Connect require Microsoft's calling credits?
Microsoft Calling Plan requires the purchase of calling credits, meaning you must predict how many minutes you'll use and pay a lump sum in advance. With Operator Connect, you pay for what you use. No more guesswork and no more credits.
Do I need any new hardware?
Start calling with no new hardware, straight from your laptop. Intrado can also support a wide range of analog devices or offer discounts on certified Microsoft devices like phones, speakers, headsets, cameras and smart screens.
Ready to Get Started?
Getting more value from Teams starts with a free trial of Operator Connect. Request a trial to get connected with a Teams calling specialist.
Request a Free Trial