Microsoft has launched a new programme to help carriers get Operator Connect approval quicker.
Operator Connect Accelerator will see carriers and service providers work with certified partners to get accreditation. So, these partners provide services around API integration, managed SBC as a service, integration into operator OSS and BSS, sales enablement, provisioning and billing.
Launch partners of the programme include Ribbon, AudioCodes, NUWAVE and SIPPIO and Microsoft itself through Azure of Operators (Metaswitch).
Taimoor Husain, Modern Workplace Strategy and GTM Lead for Telcos at Microsoft, said:
“Operator Connect Accelerator is designed to help service providers dramatically improve the time it takes to deploy their telecom services for Teams, reducing time-to-market and making it easier for businesses to adopt Teams as their office phone system, replacing costly legacy equipment.”
Microsoft’s Operator Connect is an alternative to Direct Routing and lets businesses plug existing voice services into Teams. The vendor controls the service more tightly than Direct Routing, with the aim to give users a better experience.
Microsoft must certify all Operator Connect carriers, so Operator Connect Accelerator will simplify this process.
There are a set of requirements that operators must mean before they can be eligible for Operator Connect accreditation:
- They must be a regulated and/or licensed operator capable of providing phone numbers and PSTN services
- They must have two individuals with Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate
- They must be able to provide Tier 1 customer support
- They must meet the requirements related to interconnection, architecture, and integration (to be shared upon onboarding)
The service can help carriers in areas they may not be familiar with, such as working with Microsoft’s API framework. It can also reduce upfront investment using the technology of authorised Operator Connect Accelerator partners.
Launch Partners Revealed
Ribbon has already helped service providers achieve Operator Connect approval through its Ribbon Connect offering.
Tony Scarfo, EVP & General Manager of Ribbon’s Cloud & Edge Business Unit, said: “Since the launch of Microsoft Operator Connect, we have worked closely with Microsoft to build out our expertise and infrastructure to support the service.
“In addition, we have been deeply engaged globally with our service provider customers like Switch Connect and others, helping them on-board and integrate with the service. Now many are anxious to accelerate that process using the new Operator Connect Accelerator.”
The Accelerator announcement comes soon after Microsoft revealed it will extend Operator Connect to mobile devices.
Dawn-Marie Elder, COO and General Manager at SIPPIO, said: “As an Operator Connect Accelerator, SIPPIO will expedite the journey to Operator Connect.
“Operators and carriers can focus immediately on selling their solutions, backed by a proven platform that’s ready for consumption. With no code, no build, and no maintenance – operators will be ready to improve their customer experience from day one.”
Lior Aldema, Chief Business Officer at AudioCodes, said: “AudioCodes Live Cloud is the ideal SaaS solution for assisting service providers to accelerate Operator Connect customer onboarding and operations, all on a per-user per-month plan.
“Service providers can take full advantage of AudioCodes’ field-proven voice expertise to simplify Microsoft Teams voice connectivity, as well as offer Microsoft-certified
business phones and meeting room devices as a service.”
