How Do I Add Audio Conferencing to Microsoft Teams?
Audio Conferencing in Microsoft Teams enables meeting participants to join by dialing a phone number from any landline or mobile device, making it a critical capability for enterprise organizations that need to include participants without reliable internet access. Setting up Audio Conferencing involves licensing, bridge configuration, and policy management -- a process our consultants at EPC Group have refined across hundreds of enterprise deployments over 28+ years of Microsoft consulting.
Understanding Audio Conferencing in Teams
Audio Conferencing is a Microsoft 365 service that provides dial-in phone numbers for Teams meetings. When enabled, every meeting invitation created by a licensed user automatically includes a phone number and conference ID. Participants dial the number, enter the conference ID, and are connected to the meeting audio. They can hear and speak with all other participants whether those participants joined via the Teams app, a web browser, or another phone line.
The service supports both toll and toll-free numbers across 90+ countries, making it suitable for global enterprises. Microsoft operates the conference bridge infrastructure, so there is no on-premises hardware to deploy or maintain.
Step 1: Verify Licensing Requirements
The first step is ensuring the correct licenses are in place. Audio Conferencing licensing is required only for meeting organizers, not for attendees who dial in.
- Microsoft 365 E5 / A5 - Audio Conferencing is included
- Microsoft 365 E3 / E1 / A3 / A1 - Requires the Audio Conferencing add-on
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard / Basic - Requires the Audio Conferencing add-on
- Pay-per-minute option - Available for organizations that need dial-in infrequently and want usage-based billing
If you plan to use toll-free numbers, you will also need to set up Communication Credits, which is a prepaid balance that covers the per-minute cost of inbound toll-free calls.
Step 2: Assign Licenses to Users
- Go to the Microsoft 365 admin center (admin.microsoft.com)
- Navigate to Users > Active users
- Select the users who will organize meetings requiring dial-in
- Click Licenses and apps and enable Audio Conferencing
- Ensure each user has a Usage location set in their profile (required for number assignment)
- Click Save changes
- Users will receive an email with their assigned dial-in number and conference ID within minutes
Step 3: Configure the Conference Bridge
The conference bridge is the system that answers calls from dial-in participants and places them into the correct meeting. Microsoft provides default bridge numbers, but you can customize these settings in the Teams admin center.
- Open the Teams admin center (admin.teams.microsoft.com)
- Navigate to Meetings > Conference bridges
- Review the default phone numbers assigned to your tenant
- Click Bridge settings to configure:
- Meeting entry and exit notification sounds
- PIN length for meeting organizers
- Whether callers are placed in the lobby or admitted automatically
- Add or port additional service numbers for specific countries if needed
Step 4: Set Audio Conferencing Policies
Meeting policies control which features are available to organizers and attendees. Key audio conferencing settings include:
- Allow dial-out from meetings - Lets the meeting call a participant's phone to add them
- Dial-out restriction policy - Controls which countries dial-out is allowed to reach (Zone A, Zone B, or blocked)
- Entry/exit announcements - Choose between tones, name recording, or no announcement
- PIN reset - Users can reset their conference PIN from their Teams settings
- Allow toll-free numbers - Toggle toll-free availability per user or globally
Step 5: Test and Validate
Before rolling out Audio Conferencing to your entire organization, validate the configuration with a pilot group:
- Have a licensed user create a new Teams meeting and verify the dial-in number appears in the invitation
- Dial the number from a phone and enter the conference ID
- Verify audio quality, entry announcements, and lobby behavior
- Test toll-free numbers if configured
- Test dial-out functionality by having the meeting call a phone number
- Review the Audio Conferencing usage report in the Teams admin center to confirm calls are being logged
Why Choose EPC Group for Teams Audio Conferencing
EPC Group has 28+ years of enterprise Microsoft consulting experience. Our team has deployed Audio Conferencing for organizations with thousands of users spanning multiple countries and time zones. We handle every aspect of the deployment including license optimization, number porting, policy configuration, compliance documentation, and end-user training.
- License audit and cost optimization -- we ensure you are not overpaying
- Global number provisioning across 90+ countries
- Number porting from legacy PBX and conference bridge systems
- Policy design aligned with compliance requirements (HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP)
- User training and adoption programs to maximize utilization
Set Up Audio Conferencing the Right Way
Let EPC Group handle your Audio Conferencing deployment from licensing through validation. Our consultants ensure seamless dial-in access for every meeting participant across your organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a participant dials in before the organizer joins?
By default, dial-in participants are placed in a virtual lobby and hear hold music until the organizer joins and admits them. You can change this behavior in the conference bridge settings or meeting policies to allow authenticated callers to bypass the lobby automatically.
Can I use my existing conference bridge phone numbers with Teams?
Yes. Microsoft supports porting existing service numbers to the Teams conference bridge. The porting process typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on the carrier. EPC Group manages the number porting process end-to-end to ensure zero downtime during the transition.
Is Audio Conferencing the same as Teams Phone System?
No, they are separate services. Audio Conferencing provides dial-in numbers for meetings. Teams Phone System (now called Microsoft Teams Phone) provides a full PBX replacement with calling plans, auto attendants, call queues, and direct routing for making and receiving external phone calls. Many organizations use both services together.
How much do Communication Credits cost for toll-free numbers?
Communication Credits are consumed on a per-minute basis. Rates vary by country and whether the call is toll or toll-free. In the United States, toll-free Audio Conferencing rates are approximately $0.02 per minute. You fund Communication Credits with a prepaid balance and can set up auto-recharge thresholds in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Can I assign different dial-in numbers to different users?
Yes. Each user can have a unique default toll and toll-free number assigned based on their location or preference. This is configured in the Teams admin center under the user's Audio Conferencing settings. This is useful for multinational organizations where employees in different countries need local dial-in numbers in their meeting invitations.