How to Create Dial Plans, PSTN Usages, and Voice Routes in Microsoft Teams

Meta Description: Learn how to create dial plans, PSTN usages, and voice routes in Microsoft Teams. This detailed guide includes examples, best practices, and tips for optimizing your Teams telephony setup.

Introduction

Microsoft Teams is more than just a collaboration tool—it’s a powerful platform for voice communication. To fully leverage its telephony capabilities, you need to configure dial plans, PSTN usages, and voice routes. These components ensure that calls are routed correctly, whether they’re internal or external.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the process of creating dial plans, PSTN usages, and voice routes in Microsoft Teams, complete with examples and best practices. Whether you’re a UC admin or an IT professional, this guide will help you optimize your Teams telephony setup.

What Are Dial Plans, PSTN Usages, and Voice Routes?

Before diving into the setup, let’s define these key components:

• Dial Plans: Dial plans normalize phone numbers for consistent routing. They define how users dial phone numbers (e.g., local, national, or international formats) and translate them into a standard format (E.164).
• PSTN Usages: PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) usages determine which voice routes are available to users. They act as a bridge between voice policies and voice routes.
• Voice Routes: Voice routes define how calls are routed to the PSTN. They specify the destination patterns (e.g., area codes) and the SIP trunks or carriers to use for those calls.

Step 1: Create a Dial Plan in Microsoft Teams

Dial plans ensure that users can dial numbers in a familiar format, regardless of their location. Here’s how to create one:

Example Scenario:

Your organization has users in the US and the UK. You want to create a dial plan that normalizes US and UK phone numbers.

1. Log in to the Microsoft Teams Admin Center: Go to Microsoft Teams Admin Center and navigate to Voice > Dial Plans.
2. Create a New Dial Plan:
   • Click Add.
   • Name the dial plan (e.g., “US-UK Dial Plan”).
   • Add normalization rules to convert local dialing formats to E.164.
     Example for US numbers:
     ^(\d{3})(\d{4})$ → +1XXXYYYZZZZ
     Example for UK numbers:
     ^(\d{4})(\d{6})$ → +44XXXXYYYYYY
3. Assign the Dial Plan: Assign the dial plan to users or groups via Voice > Users.

Step 2: Configure PSTN Usages

PSTN usages link voice policies to voice routes. Here’s how to configure them:

1. Go to Voice > PSTN Usages: In the Teams Admin Center, navigate to Voice > PSTN Usages.
2. Create a New PSTN Usage:
   • Click Add.
   • Name the PSTN usage (e.g., “Local and International Calls”).
3. Assign the PSTN Usage to a Voice Policy: Go to Voice > Voice Policies and assign the PSTN usage to a policy.

Step 3: Create Voice Routes

Voice routes determine how calls are routed to the PSTN. Follow these steps:

Example Scenario:

You want to route US calls to Carrier A and UK calls to Carrier B.

1. Go to Voice > Voice Routes: In the Teams Admin Center, navigate to Voice > Voice Routes.
2. Create a New Voice Route:
   • Click Add.
   • Name the voice route (e.g., “US Calls”).
   • Add a number pattern (e.g., ^\+1(\d{10})$ for US numbers).
   • Select the PSTN gateway or SIP trunk (e.g., Carrier A).
3. Repeat for Other Routes: Create another route for UK calls (e.g., ^\+44(\d{10})$) and assign it to Carrier B.
4. Assign the Voice Route to a PSTN Usage: Link the voice route to the PSTN usage created earlier.

Best Practices for Dial Plans, PSTN Usages, and Voice Routes

• Use E.164 Format: Always normalize phone numbers to the E.164 format for consistency.
• Test Thoroughly: Use the Teams Call Analytics tool to test and troubleshoot call routing.
• Optimize for Cost: Route calls through the most cost-effective carriers based on destination.
• Document Your Setup: Keep a record of your dial plans, PSTN usages, and voice routes for easy troubleshooting.

Example Use Case: Multi-Country Organization

Imagine your organization has offices in the US, UK, and Australia. Here’s how you can configure Teams telephony:

1. Dial Plans:
   • Create separate dial plans for each country.
   • Normalize numbers to E.164 format.
2. PSTN Usages:
   • Create a PSTN usage for each region (e.g., “US Calls,” “UK Calls,” “AU Calls”).
3. Voice Routes:
   • Route US calls to Carrier A, UK calls to Carrier B, and AU calls to Carrier C.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use the same PSTN usage for multiple voice routes?

Yes, a single PSTN usage can be linked to multiple voice routes.

Q2: How do I test my dial plan?

Use the Test-CsDialPlan PowerShell cmdlet to validate your dial plan.

Q3: What happens if a voice route fails?

Calls will fail if no alternative route is configured. Always set up fallback routes.

Q4: Can I modify dial plans after deployment?

Yes, but changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate.

Conclusion

Configuring dial plans, PSTN usages, and voice routes in Microsoft Teams is essential for optimizing your telephony setup. By following this guide, you can ensure seamless call routing, reduce costs, and enhance user experience.

For more detailed instructions, check out our blog on How to Set Up Microsoft Teams Direct Routing.

Ready to optimize your Teams telephony? Contact us at UCAdmin for expert assistance.

Internal Links

• How to Set Up Microsoft Teams Direct Routing
• Top SIP Trunk Providers for Microsoft Teams
• Benefits of Unified Communications for Businesses

External Links

• Microsoft Teams Voice Routing Documentation
• What is E.164 Format?

Image Links

Tags

#MicrosoftTeams #DialPlans #PSTNUsages #VoiceRoutes #UnifiedCommunications #UCAdmin