Microsoft Teams Telephony: Solving the Adoption Gap

Why Organizations Are Hesitant to Make the Switch (And Why You Shouldn't Be)

Microsoft Teams has changed how we get work done. For millions, it’s the beating heart of collaboration, sharing files, and jumping into quick video meetings. Yet, many organizations haven’t said goodbye to their old phone systems. Instead, they use Teams for chat and meetings, while clinging to legacy PBX systems or outside VoIP providers for calls.

Why? Because making the leap feels like crossing a rickety bridge. Some of the biggest concerns we hear from businesses include:

• Fear of complex setup or losing service during migration
• Frustration with confusing licensing bundles and unclear costs
• Worries about managing carriers and all their paperwork

It’s no wonder sticking with what you know sometimes seems easier, even if it means paying for two systems and twice the headaches. But there’s a smarter way forward, and the benefits of bringing your phone system into Teams are more practical (and less painful) than you might think when you have the right partner guiding you. This is where CallTower steps in.

Why is there a disconnect? For most organizations, it boils down to the real-life hassles behind the scenes. Leaders imagine the headaches that could come with a switch — does this sound familiar?

• Worries about downtime or losing service during migration
• Overwhelmed by tangent-laden licensing structures that seem impossible to decode
• Dreading the paperwork and complexity of working with multiple carriers
• Unsure who to call when there’s a hiccup, and fearing endless wait times for help

With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that sticking with what you know is tempting, even if it means maintaining two overlapping systems (and double the trouble). But here’s the thing: there is an easier way, and it doesn’t require a leap of faith, just the right guide by your side. 

But the benefits of rolling your phone system into Teams are far too practical to ignore. The goal isn’t just to avoid Teams telephony, it’s to find a partner who makes the transition so smooth, your team barely notices the change. 

When you work with a partner who actually listens, you get:

• A transition process that puts your users first—no guessing, no scrambling
• Guidance and real answers every step of the way, so your IT team can breathe easy
• Changes designed to run quietly in the background, letting your staff focus on their work (not troubleshooting the phones)

Why stick with outdated systems when there’s a partner ready to do the heavy lifting with you? 

Implementation Made Easy—No Headaches, No Surprises

One of the biggest barriers to adoption? The fear of a messy rollout. Nobody wants to be the person explaining to the CEO why the phones have gone silent on Monday morning. Here’s what keeps tech teams up at night:

• What if the transition doesn’t go as planned?
• Will there be downtime that disrupts the whole company?
• Do we have to figure out the technical maze ourselves?

It’s a real concern. And it’s why so many put off making the jump.

When you team up with a big-name carrier or try to manage a Teams phone rollout on your own, suddenly the entire responsibility lands in your lap. Sound familiar? Your internal team has to:

• Figure out porting numbers (and hope nothing gets lost in translation)
• Set up all the call routing, often with little guidance
• Wrestle with emergency configurations and compliance—nobody wants to get that wrong

That’s a lot to juggle, especially when phones are the lifeline for your business.

CallTower takes a different approach. When it comes to implementation, here’s what you can count on:

• No assembly required. We handle porting your numbers, configuring the backend, and making sense of the tech so you don’t have to.
• You’re not just handed a manual and wished good luck; instead, a dedicated project manager walks you through each step. Yes, an actual human.
• Your team isn’t left to decipher cryptic instructions or troubleshoot alone. CallTower is with you from start to finish, smoothing out the bumps along the way.

Your IT team doesn’t need to become overnight voice engineers or guess their way through surprises. Here’s what happens when you partner with CallTower:

• Your users keep their numbers with no frantic post-it notes or lost extensions.
• The workflow stays the same for staff, so there’s no learning curve.
• Phones ring, calls connect, and your team gets to keep working without drama.

The only change your users notice? Communication is finally simple. Isn’t that the way it should be? The way 

Licensing That Makes Sense 

Microsoft’s licensing ecosystem can feel like wandering through a maze blindfolded. Which mix of E3, E5, and Phone System add-ons do you really need? Is it all or nothing? There’s this common myth that moving your entire voice system to Teams means pricey upgrades for everyone on staff—but that’s just not true. Here’s what usually slows teams down:

• Confusing mix-and-match licensing options that don’t line up with real-world needs
• Worries that a switch to Teams will mean higher operating expenses
• The fear that you’ll pay for features your people will never use

But navigating this puzzle doesn’t have to be painful or expensive.

With CallTower, you get a better approach:

• Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams—often a more cost-friendly option than standard calling plans
• Guidance to help you decode the licensing maze, so you’re not stuck overpaying for features you never use
• A partner who actually explains your options, not just upsells you

CallTower ensures licensing feels straightforward, insightful, and refreshingly easy.

Billing You Can Actually Read

Ever feel like decoding a telecom bill could qualify you for a secret agent job? You’re not alone. Traditional telecom bills are packed with:

• Hidden fees that seem to pop up out of nowhere
• Strange, unexplained line items
• Opaque charges that leave you scratching your head

This financial fog is one of the reasons finance teams get nervous about switching providers. No one wants budget surprises or spend hours trying to solve the billing puzzle.

We believe billing shouldn’t read like a mystery novel. With CallTower, here’s what you actually get:

• A single, straightforward invoice—one that won’t have you squinting at line items or searching for a secret decoder ring
• No hidden fees or surprise charges popping up at the end of the month
• Simple explanations for each item, written in clear language anyone can understand

Transparency isn’t just a buzzword for us, it’s how we do business, every single billing cycle.

Taxes and regulatory fees—does anyone actually enjoy dealing with them? The truth is, telecom taxation is a maze of changing local, state, and federal rules that can bog down even the most diligent finance teams.

Here’s some good news: with CallTower, you don’t have to be a tax expert or spend your afternoons auditing phone bills. 

CallTower wrangles the messy details so you can focus your energy on running your business—not on combing through lines of legalese each billing cycle.

The Support Factor: Humans Helping Humans

Perhaps the most critical reason adoption stalls is the fear of being just a ticket number in a giant queue. When voice is critical to your business, waiting 48 hours for a support response just isn’t an option, and without the right support structure in place, even the best technology will gather dust.

CallTower provides 24/7/365 support with real people who know your system. Imagine this:

• You get help from an actual human who understands your setup—no tedious escalations or ticket limbo.
• The team is proactive, monitoring for issues before they can disrupt a single call.
• Fast response times mean your business doesn’t skip a beat when something needs fixing.
• Clear answers and communication—your users never have to wonder if the problem will get solved.

This reliability builds trust with your end-users, making sure adoption doesn’t just happen—it sticks. When your team knows the system is reliable and supported, they’ll actually use it.

Conclusion

The low adoption rate of Microsoft Teams telephony usually leads to roadblocks in implementation and support. Here’s where CallTower changes the narrative. When you work with us, you can expect:

• A migration process with no technical jargon, no fire drills, just smooth progress at every step.
• Transparent, predictable costs, so you can budget confidently without worrying about hidden fees.
• Support that feels like an extension of your own team, always just a call away.
• CallTower handles the technical setup, compliance, taxes—so you don’t have to.

Ready to finally make business communication feel effortless? Here’s what you can expect when you reach out:

• A quick, no-pressure consultation to understand your unique needs
• Straight answers from knowledgeable people
• A migration plan tailored for your team, your goals, and your budget
• Ongoing support with a smile—real people, just a call or message away

Connect with CallTower today, and let’s chart a better path together.