-

Latest posts

Changes to Microsoft Teams Rooms licenses as of July 1

If you are a Microsoft Teams Rooms user, it is important to know that there will be a licensing change effective on July 1, 2023. This change will affect companies using Teams Rooms licenses, meaning you may need to take action to change your licenses before that date.

As we all know, the rooms provide a complete meeting experience offering high-definition video, audio, and content sharing for meetings of all sizes, from small to large auditoriums.

"Licenses are what allow organizations to use the full functionality in their meeting rooms and collaboration spaces''. comments Rodolfo Castro, Sr Engineer Unified Communications at Newtech Group.

Microsoft now offers two types of room licenses

Microsoft Teams Rooms Pro: offers enhanced in-room meeting experiences, such as intelligent audio and video, front row and large galleries, and dual screen support. A comprehensive solution designed to provide inclusive hybrid meetings and advanced management features like remote device management, conditional access policies, and detailed device analytics.

MTR Pro rooms are ideal for medium and enterprise organizations, as well as smaller organizations with larger room counts or more advanced needs. They can be used to license certified room systems and Teams panels.

Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic: provides basic meeting experiences to organizations purchasing a certified system at no additional cost. The Basic license includes scheduling, joining meetings, content sharing, and collaborative whiteboarding, as well as basic security and quick management features.

You can use a MTR Basic license to license a single certified room system in a room. If you want to sign in to more than one, you must use a Teams Rooms Pro license.

You can assign up to 25 Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic licenses to rooms in your organization. If you need to license more than 25 Teams Rooms, those additional licenses must be Teams Rooms Pro. Teams Rooms Basic can only be used to license MTR systems and not Teams panels.

If your company has meeting devices using legacy MTR Teams Rooms Standard or MTR Teams Rooms Premium licenses, you can continue to use those licenses until their expiration date. After the expiration date of the existing legacy licenses, it is recommended to transition to the Teams Rooms Pro license.

So where is the problem?

If your legacy licenses for those room accounts are what Microsoft calls user licenses (E3, E5, A3, A5, F3), as of July 1, 2023, sign-in will be blocked.

In summary, Gabriel Gordon, Modern Workplace Lead at Newtech Group, shares frequently asked questions to keep in mind about this change:

Do I need to change my licenses?

If you have Standard and Premium licenses, they will no longer be available for new rooms. You will now need to use Basic or Pro licenses. We recommend transitioning to them before they expire.

You can have a combination of rooms with Basic and Pro licenses. However, only Pro features, such as management, will be available for Pro-licensed rooms.

When should I change my existing licenses?

Any existing license will be valid until the contract end time (usually one year from the initial purchase if you bought it directly from Microsoft). Customers with volume licensing agreements can continue to use and purchase Standard licenses until the license agreement expires.

Can user licenses (E3, E5, A3, A5, F3) be used for Teams room panels?

Licensed user accounts will be blocked from signing into systems after July 1, 2023.

If you are using an Android device for personal use, such as a Teams display in a personal office, it is fine to sign in as a licensed user (E3, E5). The device will detect that it is in personal mode and will not be part of the changes in the MTR management portal.

Can I make PSTN calls with the basic license?

No, you will need a Pro license.

At Newtech, we are here to advise you and resolve any questions you may have about these licensing changes. Contact us through the following form.

Call to us

TEAMS VOICE

MEETING ROOMS

MORE

RESEARCH & DEV

EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE