Short answer
Operator Connect is the simpler option: you select FirstNet as your operator in the Teams Admin Center and there is no SBC to buy or configure. Direct Routing gives more control for complex estates, using FirstNet-owned, Microsoft-certified SBCs that can work with any carrier.
In detail
How they compare:
- Set-up: Operator Connect is typically live in days rather than weeks; Direct Routing needs SBC design and routing configuration.
- Carrier: Operator Connect uses FirstNet as the carrier; Direct Routing is carrier-agnostic, so you can keep an existing carrier.
- Devices: Operator Connect does not currently support common area phones, meeting room devices or analogue devices via ATAs; Direct Routing does.
- Routing: Direct Routing handles location-based routing, custom dial plans, multi-tenant scenarios and coexistence with an on-premises PBX.
- Call path: Operator Connect peers directly with Microsoft via Azure Peering Services; Direct Routing uses TLS 1.2 signalling and SRTP media.
Both run on FirstNet's ICASA-licensed network and can run side by side in the same tenant. FirstNet starts with the simplest option that fits your requirements and adds Direct Routing only where it is needed.
Source: FirstNet Cloud PBX & Unified Communications service page →
Didn’t answer your question?