Setting up conference calls in a Dubai office means balancing user experience with local telecom rules. This article explains how a Zoom interference call setup with Microsoft Teams Direct Routing so your organization keeps local numbers, call quality, and regulatory compliance.
TL;DR
- Use Microsoft Teams direct routing to connect Teams to the PSTN via your own SIP trunk and certified SBC. Choose a certified SBC, confirm licensing, follow a short checklist, and coordinate number porting with local carriers and the TRA.
Direct Routing setup quick summary
Microsoft Teams direct routing connects Teams to the PSTN through a customer-managed SBC and SIP trunk. This allows businesses to keep local UAE numbers while avoiding Microsoft Calling Plans.
Definition: Direct Routing uses a Session Border Controller to bridge Teams and your telephony provider. Example: a Dubai office uses Direct Routing to replace a legacy PBX and keep regional numbers. For official setup steps.
Required infrastructure and certified SBCs
Start with a certified SBC, public IP, and a trusted certificate. Those elements create a secure route between Teams and your SIP trunk provider.
Typical list: validated SBC, SIP trunk from a UAE telco, public FQDN and certificate, and firewall rules for media traffic. Always pick an SBC validated by Microsoft to avoid interoperability issues.
Local options and managed services are available; see the MAK Group Teams Rooms services for deployment support.
Licensing and Dubai compliance short answer
Users need Microsoft Teams and Teams Phone licenses; Audio Conferencing may be required for dial-in features. Licensing varies by role and features.
Compliance: follow UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority guidance for number porting and VoIP. The TRA site provides regulatory details and contact channels. Coordinate porting early local approvals can add days to the timeline.
Zoom vs Teams for conference calls in Dubai
Zoom focuses on meetings; Teams combine meetings with PSTN voice via Direct Routing. Both can coexist inside an organization for different use cases.
- Zoom strengths: simple meeting join, wide participant support, native dial-in via Zoom PSTN.
- Team strengths: deep Microsoft 365 integration, unified calling with Direct Routing, better control over corporate numbers.
You can operate both: use Zoom for external webinars and Teams with Direct Routing for daily internal and PSTN-integrated calling.
Step-by-step checklist for Dubai deployment
Follow this concise checklist to launch Direct Routing on Teams in Dubai.
- Choose a certified SBC vendor and confirm UAE support.
- Pick a SIP trunk provider or use existing telco; confirm number portability rules.
- Assign a public IP and FQDN, obtain a public certificate for the SBC.
- Configure voice routes, PSTN usages, and voice policies in Teams admin center.
- Assign Teams Phone licenses and phone numbers to users.
- Test inbound/outbound calls and call quality from Dubai locations.
- Begin number porting with the telco and the TRA; expect several days for processing.
Common issues and quick fixes
Network and configuration issues cause most problems. Start with codecs, certificates, and firewall rules.
- Call quality: test WAN links and prioritize RTP traffic.
- Certificate errors: ensure the SBC certificate is trusted and matches the FQDN.
- Number porting delays: keep telco and TRA contacts active and provide accurate documentation.
- Interoperability: use only Microsoft-certified SBCs to reduce support escalations.
Setting Up Conference Calls in Dubai Offices
Modern Dubai offices rely on seamless communication tools that align with both user needs and regulatory standards. Setting up conference calls here means balancing flexibility, call quality, and compliance with UAE telecom regulations. This guide explains how Microsoft Teams Direct Routing integrates with Zoom setups so organizations can retain local numbers and meet Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) requirements.
Quick Overview: Microsoft Teams Direct Routing
Direct Routing allows organizations to connect Microsoft Teams to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through a certified Session Border Controller (SBC) and their own SIP trunk. This approach gives businesses more control and helps avoid Microsoft Calling Plan costs.
In practice, this setup bridges Teams with a local telephony provider, letting Dubai offices replace traditional PBX systems while keeping regional phone numbers active. For detailed configuration guidance, refer to Microsoft’s official Direct Routing documentation.
Infrastructure Requirements and Certified SBCs
A successful Direct Routing setup starts with the right hardware and connectivity. You’ll need a Microsoft-certified SBC, a public IP, and a trusted SSL certificate to establish a secure route between Teams and your SIP trunk provider.
Typical requirements include:
- Validated SBC from Microsoft’s certified list
- SIP trunk from a UAE telecom carrier
- Public FQDN and certificate for encryption
- Proper firewall rules to allow Teams media traffic
Always choose a certified SBC to ensure compatibility and reduce troubleshooting time. Local managed service providers, such as MAK Group, can assist with Microsoft Teams Rooms and Direct Routing deployments in Dubai.
Licensing and TRA Compliance
Each user connecting to PSTN via Teams needs a Microsoft Teams license with Teams Phone enabled. For users requiring dial-in access to meetings, Audio Conferencing licenses are necessary.
In Dubai, compliance is crucial. The UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) governs VoIP and number portability. Businesses must coordinate early with their telecom providers and the TRA for number porting approvals, as regulatory checks can add several days to deployment timelines.
Zoom vs. Teams for Office Calls in Dubai
While Zoom is ideal for external meetings and webinars, Teams excels at unifying internal communication and PSTN calling.
- Zoom strengths: Easy joining process, high participant capacity, built-in dial-in features.
- Teams strengths: Microsoft 365 integration, enterprise call management, and control over corporate numbers via Direct Routing.
Many Dubai companies use both platforms—Zoom for public sessions and Teams for daily internal or client calls through Direct Routing.
Step-by-Step Deployment Checklist
- Choose a certified SBC vendor with UAE experience.
- Select a SIP trunk provider and verify number portability.
- Configure your public IP, FQDN, and SSL certificate.
- Set up voice routes and policies in the Teams Admin Center.
- Assign Teams Phone licenses and allocate phone numbers.
- Test inbound/outbound calls for quality.
- Begin number porting with your telco and the TRA.
Short Dubai case example
A Dubai logistics firm swapped its PBX for Teams with Direct Routing to keep local numbers and reduce costs. The deployment kept Arabic/English IVR support and improved meeting joins across offices.
Result: faster internal dialing, single client for collaboration, and reduced PSTN spend.
Summary
For Dubai offices, combining Zoom for meetings and Microsoft Teams direct routing for PSTN calling gives flexibility, local number continuity, and regulatory alignment. Start with a certified SBC, confirm licensing, and coordinate number porting early to avoid delays.
FAQ How do I configure Microsoft Teams Direct Routing in the UAE?
Follow the Microsoft configuration guide, pick a certified SBC, and coordinate with your UAE telco for SIP trunking and number porting.
FAQ: Which SBCs and SIP trunk providers work in Dubai?
Use Microsoft-certified SBCs and local carriers that support SIP trunking; vendors often publish UAE compatibility lists and managed service options.
FAQ Can I port my existing UAE number to Teams via Direct Routing?
Yes. Porting is possible but requires coordination with your telco and compliance with TRA rules; allow several days for processing.
FAQ: What Microsoft 365 licenses are needed?
Assign Teams Phone licenses and standard Microsoft Teams licenses; add Audio Conferencing if you need dial-in meeting services.
FAQ Can I use Zoom and Teams together?
Yes. Many organizations run Zoom for broad external meetings and Teams (with Direct Routing) for unified corporate calling and PSTN integration.
