The Smarter Alternative to Operator Connect

With over 300 million monthly active users, Microsoft Teams has established itself as the central communication hub for organizations around the globe. As the momentum toward cloud communications continues to build, analysts at Market Us project that by 2028, 80% of businesses will be fully reliant on cloud-based telephony. This widespread shift makes Microsoft Teams calling a logical choice for organizations seeking to modernize and future-proof their communications. However, despite its increasing popularity, enabling voice services in Microsoft Teams is not as simple as it may seem.

Organizations navigating this landscape typically face a choice between two deployment options: Operator Connect and Direct Routing. Both approaches enable PSTN calling in Microsoft Teams, but each has distinct characteristics. Operator Connect offers a fast, simplified deployment experience, but often limits carrier choice, advanced voice capabilities, and customization. Direct Routing provides significantly greater flexibility and control but has traditionally required a much more complex implementation process.

As a result, businesses have long faced a trade-off: prioritize simplicity or embrace flexibility. Telesystem EasyRoute changes this dynamic. By automating the complexities of Direct Routing, EasyRoute empowers organizations with the flexibility, control, and scalability they need, without drawn-out deployments, manual configurations, or specialized expertise. In this blog, we will explore the key differences between Operator Connect and Direct Routing and show how EasyRoute combines the best of both to deliver a smarter Microsoft Teams calling experience.

Understanding Microsoft Operator Connect

Microsoft Operator Connect was designed to make Microsoft Teams calling deployments as simple as possible. Think of it as choosing a car from a dealership’s selection. You can get a reliable vehicle quickly, but your options are limited to what is on the lot. In the same way, Operator Connect allows organizations to obtain PSTN services directly from Microsoft-approved carriers, providing a fast, streamlined way to activate Teams calling.

This ease of use is precisely what makes Operator Connect so appealing. For organizations with straightforward voice requirements, deployment is fast, IT teams don't need extensive voice expertise, and the experience feels like a natural extension of Microsoft Teams. Instead of managing complex infrastructure, businesses can activate calling services through a familiar Microsoft interface and get users up and running quickly.

However, as communication needs evolve, the simplicity that attracts organizations to Operator Connect can also present challenges. For instance, because businesses are limited to Microsoft's approved carrier ecosystem, they have fewer options when selecting a provider and less flexibility as business requirements change. This restriction also means less control over call routing, limited opportunities for customization, and reduced support for advanced voice scenarios. Furthermore, geographic coverage is dictated by where Microsoft-approved operators offer service, which can be problematic for organizations with remote or international teams.

As businesses grow and communication needs become more complex, these constraints can hinder productivity. That’s why many businesses looking for true flexibility and advanced capabilities have compromised simplicity and turned to Direct Routing instead.

The Flexible Choice: Direct Routing

For organizations seeking more flexibility and control, Direct Routing offers a compelling alternative. If Operator Connect is like buying a car from a dealership, Direct Routing is like designing and building your own vehicle from the ground up. Rather than selecting from a dealership’s inventory, you have the freedom to select the engine, features, and technology, tailoring every detail to fit your exact needs. The tradeoff is that achieving that level of customization requires significantly more time, expertise, and effort.

This expanded control is what sets Direct Routing apart. Unlike Operator Connect, organizations are not confined to Microsoft’s approved carrier ecosystem. Instead, they can choose their preferred telecommunications provider, integrate legacy PBX systems, and develop advanced call-routing policies to meet specific business requirements. As a result, Direct Routing becomes the go-to solution for companies managing complex voice environments, operating across multiple locations, or navigating specialized compliance and routing needs.

Yet the freedom Direct Routing provides comes with its own challenges. Deploying this solution typically demands specialized technical skills to configure and connect a supported Session Border Controller (SBC), enable users, establish PSTN connectivity, and manage intricate voice routing policies and network settings. These manual processes can extend deployment timelines from hours to days or even weeks, increasing both administrative overhead and the risk of configuration errors.

Historically, organizations have faced a clear tradeoff: choose the simplicity of Operator Connect or the flexibility of Direct Routing. Fortunately, Telesystem EasyRoute provides businesses with an option that delivers the best of both worlds.

Where EasyRoute Changes Everything

Building on the need for a simpler yet powerful solution, Telesystem EasyRoute addresses these challenges head-on. By automating the entire Direct Routing deployment process, EasyRoute eliminates the need for deep technical expertise while preserving all the flexibility that makes Direct Routing appealing. Rather than relying on manual configurations and specialized voice expertise, EasyRoute uses a proprietary, customer-specific configuration file to automate provisioning, reduce deployment errors, and dramatically accelerate implementation timelines.

This seamless automation means organizations can now enjoy all the benefits of Direct Routing without the traditional deployment burden. They maintain the freedom to select their preferred carrier, build custom call-routing workflows, integrate existing PBX environments, and scale as their business evolves, all while sidestepping the time-consuming configurations and operational complexity that once made Direct Routing difficult to implement.

Ultimately, EasyRoute removes the need to choose between convenience and capability. It represents a smarter approach to Microsoft Teams calling, blending the simplicity organizations want with the flexibility and control necessary to support long-term growth.

Why Businesses Choose EasyRoute

By automating the most complex aspects of Direct Routing, EasyRoute delivers the enterprise flexibility organizations demand, while offering an implementation experience that rivals the simplicity of Operator Connect. This unique combination means businesses no longer have to choose between ease of use and powerful functionality; they can enjoy both.

Deploy in Minutes Instead of Weeks

Traditionally, voice deployments have been among the most time-consuming aspects of Microsoft Teams calling implementations. Manual configuration, testing, and troubleshooting often cause significant project delays. With EasyRoute, however, tasks that once took days or weeks can now be completed in under 15 minutes, allowing businesses to switch to Teams calling swiftly and with minimal disruption.

Keep the Full Power of Direct Routing

While EasyRoute streamlines deployment, it never compromises on capability. Unlike simplified calling options that may restrict functionality, EasyRoute preserves everything that makes Direct Routing so valuable. Organizations maintain the flexibility to choose their carrier, implement advanced call routing, integrate legacy PBX systems, and support complex enterprise voice environments; all without the operational burden of managing complicated deployments themselves.

Better Cost Control

EasyRoute introduces a more practical and scalable approach to cost management. By moving away from per-user licensing and aligning pricing with simultaneous call paths, organizations can better match their spend to actual usage. Instead of paying for hundreds of unused voice licenses, businesses can size their environment based on real demand; significantly reducing monthly costs. This model not only lowers expenses but also provides the flexibility to scale without overcommitting budget to capacity that may never be used.

Enterprise-Grade Reliability

Voice communications are mission-critical, so reliability is essential. EasyRoute is supported by Microsoft-certified Session Border Controllers (SBCs), encrypted calls, and a 99.999% uptime SLA. Telesystem’s technical experts deliver 24/7/365 support, ensuring organizations always have the peace of mind and assistance they need.

Ditch the Scripts with Telesystem EasyRoute

With EasyRoute, organizations enjoy all the robust features of Direct Routing with the simplicity of Operator Connect. The result is a faster deployment process, greater control, reduced operational complexity, and a Teams calling solution designed with the future in mind. EasyRoute’s secure, efficient, and accessible configuration empowers organizations to move faster, scale smarter, and deliver superior communication experiences across the organization. Your business no longer has to choose between ease of use and advanced functionality; EasyRoute provides the best of both worlds, seamlessly integrated, and backed by Telesystem’s 24/7 US-based support team.