Teams Voice Calling or Teams Phone Calling
aka Microsoft Teams Phone Calling is the newest telephony option that we have on campus.
To see if you qualify for the current phoneless option, create a ticket.
Teams Phone Conversion Project
The pilot started in early 2024 and currently has 231+ individual users and department main lines including the LTS Help Desk. We are continuing to add anyone who is interested in the phoneless option. Fill out this form https://go.uwec.edu/teamsvoice
When activated
You will see the Calls icon on the sidebar menu, dialpad will appear with your work number below it.
General Use
- Microsoft Teams Phone Call History and Speed Dial Guide
- First things to know about calls in Microsoft Teams
- Answering a call in Microsoft Teams
FAQ - Questions
General Questions
Will my phone number change in this process?
No, your number will remain the same.
Do I need to use 8+1 or 9+ to get an outside line?
No, dialing outside numbers no longer requires a prefix.
Can I still dial 36- then the number?
Yes, abbreviated dialing is still available
Using Teams for Calls
If I am using Team Phone Calling and have my computer with me in the classroom, will it ring if I get a phone call?
If teams is closed(Quit) it won't ring, unless you have it installed on your mobile phone. If you don't use the Outlook calendar, then you will need to close the Teams App completely
- Mac - Command+Q
- Windows - right-click on the Teams icon in the system tray
- If you use Teams for class, Under Settings > Privacy> Do not disturb - you can set your status to Do not disturb when I'm sharing my screen.
How do I press numbers when you call a company and hear something like “Press 1 for billing, press 2 for technical support,”?
In the active window (Not the main Teams window)
Why is video not available for all calls?
When you receive a call via your office phone number (PSTN line), the connection is audio-only. This is because traditional phone lines do not support video. Video calling is only available when both you and the caller are using Microsoft Teams for the call — specifically, Teams-to-Teams calling over the internet. If the caller is dialing your office number from a regular phone or mobile device, video won't be available.
Can colleagues still transfer calls to me?
Yes and you are able to transfer calls as well.
Any other benefits?
You can install the Teams app on your mobile device and receive calls through it. This is optional and can enhance flexibility.
What happens if I miss a call?
Missed calls will appear in your Teams Activity and Calls tabs. The caller can leave a message, which will be transcribed and sent to your email and Teams. You can also return the call directly from the missed call notification.
How do I know if a call is coming from Teams or a regular phone line?
In the Teams call window, calls from other Teams users will show their name, profile picture, and presence status. Calls from regular phone lines (PSTN) will show a phone number and may not include a name or photo unless it's saved in your contacts.
Devices and Equipment
Can I keep my office phone?
Sure, but you can only use it to call out. The Cisco office phone will work until the project is complete.
What if I still want a physical phone?
We encourage using soft clients (laptop and headset) as our primary devices. Physical phones may be available in Phase two of the project (2026), subject to approval and potential departmental chargebacks. Priority will be given to department main lines and student employee use.
What headphone/earphones/speaker should I use?
You can continue using whatever you’ve used for Zoom or Teams meetings. For more options, visit "Purchasing Computer Peripherals and other technology" page in the Audio headset/computer speakers section https://kb.uwec.edu/articles/purchasing-computer-peripherals-and-other-technology#audio-headsetscomputer-speakers
Additional Questions
How do I set up voicemail in Teams?
Voicemail is automatically enabled in Teams. You can customize your voicemail greeting by clicking on your profile picture in Teams > Settings > Calls > Configure voicemail. From there, you can record a greeting, set call answering rules, and choose how missed calls are handled.
Can I use Teams Phone while traveling, working remotely, or at a conference?
Yes. Teams Phone works anywhere with an internet connection. You can make and receive calls using the Teams app on your laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
You can choose this instead of giving out your personal mobile number.