Why Direct Routing Beats Operator Connect 99% of the Time
(an honest opinion from the people who manage your SBCaaS)
At ifonica, we live and breathe Microsoft Teams Direct Routing every day. We host, manage, and globally scale cloud SBCs for hundreds of customers—from 10-user firms to 40,000-seat enterprises. We also encounter the same myths repeated in every sales cycle when Operator Connect is pitched as the “simpler” option. Let us save you months of research and the potential headaches of selecting the wrong solution by sharing the truths we’ve learned the hard way.
4 Myths About Direct Routing Debunked
Myth 1: Operator Connect is cheaper and easier
Operator Connect appears cheap until you spot the hidden per-user fees that Microsoft, plus the carrier adds on top of your minute bundles. With ifonica’s SBCaaS, you pay one predictable monthly fee per tenant (starting at a fraction of a typical Operator Connect program costs per seat). Our average customers save 25-45% after the first year compared to Operator Connect.
Myth 2: The hassle of managing another piece of infrastructure
You don’t have to! That’s literally why ifonica exists. We deploy your fully redundant, geo-distributed SBC cluster. We patch it, monitor it 24/7, and push updates automatically. You never have to login to the SBC unless you really want to. Most of our customers treat it exactly like Operator Connect, except they maintain control and pay far less.
Myth 3: Direct Routing being locked into one carrier
Actually no, it’s the exact opposite. Operator Connect locks you into whichever carrier Microsoft has partnered with in your country (often just one or two). With ifonica, we can connect as many ITSPs as needed simultaneously.
Myth 4: Direct Routing doesn’t offer the newest Calling Plan features
False! We offer everything that Operator Connect does and more!
Direct Routing offers features such as:
- Local dial-tone (in 70+ countries)
- Emergency calling (where you actually need it)
- Dynamic E911
- Fraud shielding
- Least-cost routing (LCR)
- On-net inter-site calling (for free)
- Number porting on your schedule (not your carriers)
The ifonica Difference
You get Operator Connect levels of simplicity with enterprise-grade Direct Routing power—no lock-in or surprise invoices.
If you’re a growing business, multinational, cost-conscious IT leader, or anyone who doesn’t want to renegotiate their voice strategy every time Microsoft changes their Operator Connect partner list, then you’ll want to talk to us.
Direct routing isn’t complicated when it’s done right. At ifonica, we’ve already done it right for hundreds of Teams just like you. If you’re ready to stop paying the Operator Connect tax, we’ll show you the numbers in 15 minutes. Let’s chat.
Spoiler: Direct Routing wins. Almost every time.
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ifonica delivers collaboration and communication tools that are beneficial to your entire business. Our innovative technology allows for seamless collaboration and integration of phone calls, emails and video conferencing, plus other essential tools—all bundled into one cohesive platform. Talk to one of our experts to learn how you can modernize your business collaboration technology.
