Get your nonprofit ready for the PSTN switch-off with Microsoft Teams Phone for charities
Phone lines and other analogue technology need to be ready for the big PSTN switch-off. BT is already urging charities to migrate off their aging Public Switched Telephone Network by the end of December this year, to safeguard their communications services, well in advance of the final network shutdown scheduled for January 2027.
What does the PSTN switch-off mean for your charity?
Charities and not for profit organisations need to be aware of this impending deadline. After this date, copper phone lines will no longer work, which means the traditional communication infrastructure currently used to work effectively, engage donors, manage volunteers, and support beneficiaries will no longer work. The migration to digital telephony is vital to maintain continuity for charitable operations.
Introducing Microsoft Teams Phone for charities
Microsoft Teams Phone is a great solution for charities seeking to streamline and futureproof their communication systems. Teams Phone is much more than an upgrade from your old telephone system. It’s a move towards a modern, all-in-one communication platform, where users can make calls, hold video meetings, chat and share files—all from one, centralised place. This unified approach makes it easier for people to work together, especially with so many of us working remotely.
What can Microsoft Teams Phone do for charities?
Built upon the Microsoft Teams platform – which many nonprofits are already using – Microsoft Teams Phone is a cloud-based solution featuring a set of tools designed to streamline communications, boost collaboration and drive efficiencies across your charity.
What are the benefits of Microsoft Teams Phone for charities?
There are many benefits of Microsoft Teams Phone: these are the top 7 benefits we think are most relevant for the nonprofit sector:
1. Streamlined communications
With Teams Phone, charities get a unified system for all internal and external communications. Acting as a centralised communication hub, Microsoft Teams Phone enables users to access a single application where they can host video conferences, make and receive calls, send instant messages, share files and collaborate with volunteers, staff, and stakeholders. Users can also switch seamlessly between chat, video conferencing, and calls, so it is much more efficient to carry out tasks without switching back and forth between multiple apps.
2. Improved productivity
As Teams Phone integrates voice communication into the Microsoft Teams platform, this means there are no new systems and apps to learn if your users are already familiar with Microsoft 365. With features such as chat, file sharing, and real-time co-authoring, charities can work more efficiently from one single platform and effectively do more in more in less time. Simplified management and admin rights are also managed within the Teams Admin Centre, so a separate portal is not required for your IT team.
3. Cost savings
If your charity is already using Microsoft Teams – with Teams Phone you are simply leveraging the investment you have already made in Microsoft technology – which effectively keeps costs to a minimum. You do not need to pay for anything extra, such as line rental, SIP trunk rentals, or expensive phone handsets. Instead, Teams Phone makes the most of the existing M365 licensing and devices your charity is already paying for. Microsoft also offers a calling plan for Teams users to make unlimited phone calls to and from local, national and mobile numbers, so it’s easier for charities to control the costs of calls. There is also a discount on these calling plans specifically for nonprofits.
4. Greater mobility and flexibility
No specialist equipment is required for Microsoft Teams Phone. Staff and volunteers can connect, communicate and collaborate using the Teams app from any device, whether working from home, remotely, on site, or at the office. With seamless device switching, users can swiftly move between devices and Teams endpoints without dropping calls. Charities can also retain their existing telephone numbers and access all the traditional telephone functionalities, such as ring groups, queues, auto attendants and voicemail, which is easily managed within Microsoft Teams.
5. Reduced complexity
As Microsoft Teams Phone is part of the Microsoft 365 suite, there are no additional user accounts with more passwords to manage. Staff can simply log in using their existing user accounts in Microsoft Teams.
6. Enhanced security
As Microsoft Teams Phone is part of the Microsoft 365 family, charities can expect the same robust security and compliance features as included with Microsoft 365. This includes data encryption, compliance tools and multi-factor authentication – so you can remain confident that your all call data is protected and all necessary regulations are adhered to.
7. AI insights
With the introduction of Microsoft 365 Copilot in Teams Phone, charities could also access AI-powered features such as call recordings, virtual assistants, transcription services and more, to streamline call handling processes and gain valuable insights from their conversations.
Simplify calls, communication and collaboration with Microsoft Teams Phone for charities
These seven benefits really make a compelling reason to consider Microsoft Teams Phone for your charity. As the PSTN switch-off looms closer, making the move to Microsoft Teams Phone offers charities the opportunity to futureproof operations and ensure scalability, reliability, and adaptability in today’s digital environment. Using one integrated platform for calls, communication and collaboration, Teams Phone can help your charity save money, boost security while driving productivity across the organisation.
Ready to start your Microsoft Teams Phone migration?
If you would like to discuss how Teams Phone could work for your charity, simply contact us. We’ve already helped numerous charities across the UK adopt this solution to streamline their communications.
We have a dedicated team of Microsoft Teams Phone experts who can undertake the migration and get you set up in less than an hour! We also offer user training and can provide ongoing IT support if required, while ensuring you get the best non-profit licensing options and discounts to maximum cost savings for your charity.
And of course, you do not have to be a charity to enjoy all these benefits of Microsoft Teams Phone – they are available to every type of organisation.
Click here to discover more about Teams Phone.