By Rebecca Gibson |
Global business communications platform provider 8x8 has earned Microsoft certification for its session border controller (SBC) technology, which enables organisations to make Microsoft Teams calls in 57 countries via both Direct Routing and Operator Connect.
8x8 is now one of the only native cloud communications providers with Microsoft-certified SBC technology supporting both calling options.
Alongside its certified SBC technology, 8x8 provides direct Tier 1 carrier interconnections and licensed public switched telephone network replacement services across 57 countries. By owning and operating its own infrastructure, 8x8 removes the need for third-party gateways or middleware between Teams and the public telephone network, helping reduce costs and simplify global deployments.
“Microsoft has been an outstanding partner, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to bring world-class collaboration to market on Teams,” said Samuel Wilson, CEO of 8x8. “Teams is where work happens. Our job is to connect it to customers, partners and the rest of the world. Certification of our SBC technology lets us deliver that connection directly, removing an unnecessary technology layer and its added costs. For customers, that means simpler global calling. For partners, it means a more competitive offer and a greater opportunity to bring external calling to the millions of Teams users who do not have it today.”
By bringing conversations with customers, partners and other external stakeholders into Teams through 8x8, organisations can also use Microsoft Copilot to capture conversation insights, identify next steps and preserve context, supporting more intelligent, AI-powered calling experiences.
“Customers want reliable global calling that fits naturally into the way they work in Microsoft Teams,” said Mahendra Sekaran, corporate vice president at Microsoft. “8x8’s certified technology and global voice services give customers and partners more choice in connecting Teams to the public telephone network.”
The solution is designed for Microsoft channel partners, including cloud solution providers, value-added resellers, managed service providers and distributors. Partners retain their Microsoft licensing relationships and lead the customer relationship, while 8x8 provides the underlying voice connectivity.
“Partners need global calling they can put their brand on, sell simply, and trust at enterprise scale,” said Stephen Hamill, chief revenue officer at 8x8. “We deliver the calling infrastructure while they lead the customer relationship and retain their Microsoft licensing business. With one global contract and no third-party gateway costs, we make it easier for partners to build a competitive, profitable Microsoft Teams calling offer.”