Microsoft Teams Direct Routing: The Enterprise Standard in 2026

Understanding the technical architecture of Direct Routing helps IT decision-makers evaluate providers and set realistic expectations for deployment timelines.

Step 1 — Session Border Controller (SBC). The SBC is the hardware or virtual appliance that sits between your telephony carrier and Microsoft's Teams Phone infrastructure. It handles protocol translation, call routing, security, and media processing. In a managed model, the provider owns and operates the SBC on your behalf, eliminating capital expenditure and in-house expertise requirements.

Step 2 — SIP Trunking to Your Carrier. The SBC connects to your carrier via SIP trunks — standardized signaling channels that carry voice traffic over IP networks. This is where you bring your own numbers, rates, and coverage agreements rather than being locked into Microsoft's Calling Plans.

Step 3 — TLS/SRTP Encryption. All signaling between the SBC and Microsoft's infrastructure runs over TLS (Transport Layer Security), while media streams are encrypted with SRTP. In early 2026, Microsoft updated its root Certificate Authorities for Direct Routing SIP signaling — a change that required SBC recertification across the ecosystem. Working with a certified managed provider ensures these compliance updates are handled without service interruption.

Step 4 — Teams Phone Policy Configuration. Microsoft 365 administrators configure voice routing policies in the Teams Admin Center, directing outbound calls through the appropriate SBC based on user location, number format, and carrier priority.

Step 5 — Number Porting and Testing. Existing DID numbers are ported to the new carrier configuration. A controlled cutover, with rollback options, completes the migration.

The result is a fully cloud-managed telephony system where employees dial from Teams on any device, and calls flow through enterprise-grade SIP infrastructure.

The business case for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing in 2026 is well established, with measurable outcomes across cost, flexibility, and operational simplicity.

Cost Efficiency. Direct Routing typically reaches a financial break-even point within 18 to 24 months compared to Microsoft Calling Plans — and the savings compound over time. Enterprises with significant international call volumes, particularly across Latin America, can negotiate carrier rates directly and consolidate multi-country voice spend under a single contract.

Global Coverage and Redundancy. A managed Direct Routing provider with multi-operator relationships can offer PSTN access in countries where Microsoft Calling Plans are not available — a critical advantage for enterprises operating in Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and other markets where HIT Communications maintains carrier infrastructure.

Scalability for Hybrid and Remote Work. As workforces shift to hybrid models, Direct Routing scales instantly. Adding a new user or a new office location is a software configuration change, not a hardware procurement cycle. Employees on laptops, mobile phones, or desk phones all present the same corporate number and call routing behavior.

Simplified IT Operations. When telephony and collaboration live in the same platform, IT teams manage one environment instead of two. Integration with Microsoft 365 — including calendaring, presence, and Teams Rooms — creates a unified communication experience that reduces support overhead.

Enterprise Security and Compliance. Calls routed through certified SBCs with TLS/SRTP encryption meet the security requirements of most enterprise compliance frameworks. Combined with IT managed services and cloud infrastructure, organizations can build a fully auditable communications stack.

HIT Communications has spent more than 30 years building the carrier relationships, technical certifications, and regional presence that enterprise Direct Routing deployments require. Operating across Latin America, the United States, and Europe, HIT is uniquely positioned to deliver Microsoft Teams Direct Routing as a fully managed service — handling SBC infrastructure, carrier interconnection, number porting, and ongoing operations on behalf of enterprise customers.

What distinguishes HIT's approach is the combination of regional expertise and managed-service depth. Unlike global hyperscalers that offer standardized packages, HIT tailors voice routing policies, carrier agreements, and SLA commitments to the specific geographic footprint and regulatory environment of each customer.

For organizations in Colombia, Mexico, Panama, or across the Americas that need PSTN access in markets not served by Microsoft's own Calling Plans, HIT's multi-operator connectivity fabric fills the gap — ensuring that every employee, in every location, can make and receive calls through a single, unified Teams interface.

HIT's managed Direct Routing service includes: certified SBC provisioning and monitoring, 24/7 NOC support, number porting project management, Teams Admin Center configuration, and proactive compliance updates — such as the 2026 TLS certificate migration — handled without customer intervention.

Microsoft Teams Direct Routing is no longer an emerging option — it is the enterprise telephony standard of 2026. With 26 million PSTN users and 71.4% adoption among Teams Phone deployments, the question for most organizations is no longer whether to migrate, but how to do it without disrupting operations.

The answer lies in working with a managed provider that combines certified SBC infrastructure, multi-operator carrier reach, and deep regional expertise. A well-executed Direct Routing deployment consolidates your telephony costs, eliminates legacy PBX maintenance, and delivers a voice experience that is fully integrated with the collaboration tools your teams already use every day.

If your organization is evaluating Microsoft Teams Direct Routing — whether as a first-time cloud telephony deployment or a migration from an existing provider — contact HIT Communications today. Our specialists will assess your current environment, model the financial impact, and design a migration path that meets your timeline and budget.