Why review Teams Calling costs?
Microsoft Teams Calling can simplify collaboration, but it also introduces a new set of cost drivers. Licences, add-on calling plans, session border controllers and underlying connectivity all contribute to the total. If these components are not reviewed periodically, costs can drift away from expectations.
A structured review helps you understand whether your current configuration is delivering value, or whether adjustments could better align spend with actual usage. It is particularly important for organisations with a mix of office-based and remote workers across multiple Australian cities.
Understand your current cost structure
1. Licences and add-ons
Start by listing which Microsoft 365 licences your users hold, and which Teams Calling-related add-ons are applied. Identify any users with full voice entitlements who are not making regular use of calling features, as well as any roles that may need more capability than they currently have.
2. Call plans and usage
Review call detail records and billing information for local, national, mobile and international traffic. Look for patterns in destinations and call volumes. The aim is to see whether your current plan mix lines up with actual usage, and whether there are outliers driving disproportionate cost.
3. Connectivity and supporting services
Teams Calling depends on reliable connectivity. When reviewing costs, include any dedicated links, internet upgrades or third-party services that were introduced to support the solution. These may sit on different invoices but still form part of the overall cost of voice services.
Identify redundant or overlapping services
In some cases, Teams Calling has been added alongside existing telephony, with the intention of phasing out legacy services later. A review should look for lines, numbers or platforms that could be removed once Teams Calling is established. This can help offset licence and connectivity spend.
Take care to confirm dependencies before making changes—particularly for locations outside major centres like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart where services may be more bespoke.
Forecast future usage and growth
Cost reviews should also consider what is likely to change over the next one to three years. That includes headcount growth, new sites, mergers or shifts to more hybrid working. Modelling a few scenarios can help you decide whether your current approach will scale effectively, or whether a different configuration would be more sustainable.
Independent support for Teams Calling cost reviews
An independent review partner can help interpret licences, usage and connectivity in the context of Australian market norms. Rather than recommending a single path, the aim is to outline options and trade-offs so you can make informed decisions. Reviews can be scoped narrowly around Teams Calling or integrated into a broader telecommunications review.
If you would like assistance reviewing Microsoft Teams Calling costs for your organisation, contact us to discuss a tailored engagement.