Operator Connect harnesses the power of the cloud to seamlessly integrate comprehensive PSTN connectivity right into your Microsoft Teams setup. Managing Operator Connect is a breeze, thanks to an intuitive admin console that empowers you to oversee every aspect - from providers and numbers to capacity, analytics, and integration. The best part? No convoluted hardware or software demands, unlike alternatives such as direct routing.

Learn more about Operator Connect and find out why it's right for your business.

You do — provisioning for all required configurations can be accessed and controlled entirely within our solution.

Learn more about how to set up Operator Connect for your business.

Microsoft offer three options to integrate PSTN capabilities into the platform:

• Operator Connect

• Calling Plan

• Direct Routing.

Which option is right for you? Learn everything you need to know about the options.

Operator Connect, just like any exciting new technology, brings its own set of terms that might need a bit of demystifying. Let's unpack up the significant terms used by Microsoft to describe the capabilities to help you navigate Operator Connect. 

Read more to learn everything you need about key terms related to Operator Connect so you can cut through the jargon and simplify business communications.

Selecting the Ideal Operator Connect Provider will ensure you have high uptime, affordable services, and the support you need. 

First Technology is a Microsoft-approved Operator Connect provider with robust telecom infrastructure, a high uptime guarantee, and pricing designed to fit your budget. 

If you have numbers with a different supplier that you want to keep, you can port these across, but you’ll need to allow additional time for the numbers to be released from your outgoing PSTN provider to First Technology.

Yes, porting fees shall apply on all plans.

Yes, we generally allocate new numbers first and then port numbers. Porting timelines vary depending on the provider or platform you are moving away from.

You should consider choosing new numbers where possible to make the migration process faster and avoid any associated complexities with the porting process.

Selecting the Ideal Operator Connect Provider will ensure you have high uptime, affordable services, and the support you need. 

First Technology is a Microsoft-approved Operator Connect provider with robust telecom infrastructure, a high uptime guarantee, and pricing designed to fit your budget. Learn more about Operator Connect from First Technology and how we can add value to your business.

Operator Connect is only available with select Office 365 licenses. Not every option gives you the ability to bring your own carrier, and some won’t even give you access to Microsoft Teams. 

We provide a licensing breakdown to assist customers with navigating the maze of Office 365 Operator Connect options. Learn everything you need to know about the licensing options so you are empowered to select the right license for your business. 

For most businesses, Direct Routing and Operator Connect are cost-effective solutions for enabling PSTN connectivity within Teams.

Both options are undoubtedly similar, but there are also significant differences between Operator Connect and Direct Routing that you should understand before signing up. Learn more to help you decide which solution is right for your business.

Operator Connect allows companies to bring a third-party provider into Teams to enable PSTN calling. In addition, any Microsoft-approved PSTN carrier can be integrated, allowing organizations to bring their own carrier or choose a new one with ideal rates.

In the left navigation pane in Teams Admin Center, go to Voice > Operator Connect> select First Technology from the operators list. At this point you’ll be taken to the consent page where you can select the services that suit your voice needs.

You will be asked to add your contact information and accept Data Privacy Terms and data transfer notice before you can add us as your operator. Then you’ll need select Add as my operator and save to commit the changes.

Other features such as call queues, voice routing and auto-attendant, are also included. Learn more about about everything you’ll be able to do with Operator Connect.

The current minimum order is 10 users, with a minimum of 5 users per site.

For any sites with less than 10 users an additional one-time charge will occur.

All our plans are subject to a Month-to-Month agreement with 30 days notice for cancellations, noting the process below.

1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, cancellations will only be valid and processed when provided in writing and sent to the

terminations team at the following email address terminations@firstnet.co.za.

2. Termination notices must include the specific Service Schedule reference number that is being terminated together with specific

details of each applicable Service being terminated.

3. Failure to adhere to the above, will result in termination requests not being processed and you will continue to be liable for all

charges incurred.

Operator Connect  can be rapidly deployed (often in hours) but this does depend on whether you prefer new set of phone numbers, or to port your existing ones over to First Technology.

Our team shall work with you to get you up and running as soon as possible, but please note deployment is likely to take longer when there is a need to port phone numbers.

Yes, you can, but early termination fees will apply. Any changes will be based on the number of subscribed users and the remaining length of the subscription. All our plans are subject to a Month-to-Month agreement with 30 days notice for cancellations, noting the process below.

1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, cancellations will only be valid and processed when provided in writing and sent to the terminations team at the following email address terminations@firstnet.co.za.

2. Termination notices must include the specific Service Schedule reference number that is being terminated together with specific details of each applicable Service being terminated.

3. Failure to adhere to the above, will result in termination requests not being processed and you will continue to be liable for all

charges incurred.

We offer three call packages (Basic, Standard and Pro) to suit your business needs.

To view current pricing, click here.

Our service is currently only available in South Africa.

Support teams are available 24/7, to help with any technical problems and keep you and your teams connected. A helpdesk support model is in place to support your IT department.

It’s easy to get in touch with us by calling 0861 989 896 or by emailing FirstNet Support support@firstnet.co.za. 

All Microsoft 365 plans offer the ability for Microsoft Teams users to make peer-to-peer calls within the organization using VoIP technology. However, if you want to make calls to PSTN numbers (landlines and mobiles), you'll need specific licenses. Operator Connect presents an option to enable PSTN calls from within your Microsoft Teams tenant, utilizing our voice network while managing all the necessary connectivity and infrastructure as a cloud service.

Learn everything you need to know about the licensing options so you are empowered to select the right license for your business.

Yes, First Technology’s call recording solution helps you meet your compliance obligations by providing secure and scalable recording in the cloud.

Contact us today for more information