Getting Started with Teams Calling

Table of Contents

• What is Teams Calling? 
• How do I use Teams Calling? 
• Will my phone number stay the same? 
• How can I make and receive phone calls without a physical desk phone? 
• Does Teams Calling offer the same features I’m use to using on my desk phone? 
• What kinds of equipment will we need to use Teams calling? 
• How will this work for contacts outside OHIO, such as parents, collaborators, and vendors? 
• Can I make or receive calls through my personal cell phone without sharing my personal phone number? 
• What about private or confidential phone calls? 
• How do I prevent phone calls after hours or when I do not want to be disturbed?  
• Can I get voicemail messages by email?

What is Teams Calling?

Teams Calling is a softphone application within Microsoft Teams that allows you to place and answer audio calls from your OHIO work number. Teams Calling replaces the desktop phone device and can be used from any device with the Teams application.  Calls can be made to any phone number (internal and external).  

How do I use Teams Calling? 

There are a number of curated articles that will review how to make and receive calls, basic call features (hold, mute, transfer, and speed dial), how to set up your voicemail and how to change your notifications on your computer and mobile device.  Please reach out to us by submitting a service desk ticket if you need additional assistance. 

Will my phone number stay the same? 

• If you have your own OHIO phone number, it will stay the same. 

• If you don't have an OHIO phone number, then a new phone number can be assigned to you upon request. The new number will appear in your Teams Calls tab, under the dial pad. 

How can I make and receive phone calls without a physical desk phone? 

• The Teams Calling service in Microsoft Teams will allow OHIO faculty and most staff to make and receive conventional telephone calls with their OHIO phone numbers through any computer or mobile device. 

• Teams Calling will add new functionality, including a virtual dial pad, to Microsoft Teams. When your department or unit switches to Teams calling, we'll associate your OHIO telephone number with Teams. 

• From that point on, your OHIO phone service will no longer be tied to a specific phone in an office on campus. The Teams Calling feature works in the Teams application on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Most features also work through a web browser. 

Does Teams Calling offer the same features I’m use to using on my desk phone? 

Yes, please refer to the Managing Features in Teams Calling for specific directions on these features.  

What kinds of equipment will we need to use Teams calling? 

• The Teams Calling feature works in the Teams application on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Some users may want to utilize earbuds or headphones with their device to enhance their experience or to ensure privacy during calls.  

• Video isn't required for telephone calls, so cameras are also not required. 

How will this work for contacts outside OHIO, such as parents, collaborators, and vendors? 

• People outside OHIO will be able to contact OHIO employees and departments just as they do now. They can continue to dial your 10-digit OHIO phone number. They don't need to use Teams. 

• The only difference will be on the receiving end. When they call your phone number, it will ring on your computer—or whatever device you're using Teams on—instead of on a physical desk phone. 

Can I make or receive calls through my personal cell phone without sharing my personal phone number? 

• Teams Calling allows you to receive phone calls to your OHIO phone number on any computer or mobile device through Microsoft Teams. The caller won't see your personal cell phone number, even if you're taking the call through the Teams app on your smartphone. That applies to both university-owned and non-university-owned devices. 

• Similarly, you can make calls through Teams from any device without revealing your personal cell phone number. The people you call will see your OHIO phone number in their caller ID. 

What about private or confidential phone calls? 

Earbuds or headsets should take care of most of these. Any calls that OHIO employees take today on a desk phone, they should still be able to take through Teams Calling with a headset. 

How do I prevent phone calls after hours or when I do not want to be disturbed?  

Using the presence status, you can set yourself to “Do Not Disturb” so that calls will be sent to your voicemail. You can also configure Quiet Days/Hours to automatically stop calls/notifications on your mobile device outside of your normal working hours.    

Can I get voicemail messages by email?

• Yes. With Teams calling, you'll automatically receive an email message for each voicemail message, including both an attached audio file and a speech-to-text transcription. 

• Voicemail messages will also be available in both formats within Teams. 

Get Help From OIT

• For additional help please submit a ticket on the Softphone: Microsoft Teams Calling service page.