Microsoft Azure Communication Services (CPaaS)
Microsoft Azure Communication Services, the CPaaS (Communication Platform as a Service) platform that powers Microsoft Teams, has now reached “Generally Available” status, which means it is now supported and has a formal SLA (although some features are still in preview).
Azure Communication Services provides libraries for mobile, desktop, and web applications, enabling developers to add the following features:
Voice and video calls
Make and receive IP voice and video calls, including interoperability with Microsoft Teams.
Chat / SMS
Enable One-to-One or Group Chat
Add SMS to applications and connect with users who prefer mobile communication. Currently only available in the US
Voice calls PSTN
Allow users to interact with a traditional telephone number, facilitated by the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) for voice calls. Currently only available in the US
Examples of scenarios
- SMS reminders for appointments and follow-up surveys
- Web chat
- Voice VoIP and B2C video calls from websites and apps—for example, from a patient to a doctor or from a shopper to a retailer—in these scenarios, “B” users could use Microsoft Teams
PSTN , and SIP interface coverage
Currently, the availability of SMS and PSTN phone numbers is limited to Azure with a billing address in the United States and communication service providers with data centers in the United States—which is far fewer than many other CPAAS providers. We hope this will also be expanded. Microsoft directlysupports 24 countries for PSTN calling plans for Microsoft Teams; I hope the same coverage will be offered for ACS.
ACS supports a "SIP interface" inprivatebeta. This allows you to connect, via a SBC certified device, PBX, analog phone adapters, or another provider PSTN. Certification of SBC supported devices is currently underway. In the meantime, in the preview, you can use one of the manycertified gateways Teams.
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