How To Set Up Paging In Microsoft Teams

When moving to Microsoft Teams, one of the biggest selling points is that you’re “unifying your communications” and modernizing collaboration.

In the marketing materials, that looks like jazzy features and slick interfaces. This means we often forget about the more functional, less colorful components that are crucial for the operations of our businesses.

One such feature is, of course, paging. Paging in Microsoft Teams, specifically Teams Phone, is one of those things that’s easy to overlook until you need it.

And the thing about paging is that it might be rarely used, but when you do need it, it’s often an emergency of vital importance.

Does Microsoft Teams have paging built in?

No, Microsoft Teams doesn’t have paging built in. However, there are a number of ways to set up a solution using third-party solutions and peripheral services.

If you’re striving for feature parity and paging is one of the last items you need to check off, read on for the instructions to set up paging in Microsoft Teams for the first time.

Options for setting up paging in Microsoft Teams

1. Using Algo IP paging devices

Algo provides a wide range of devices, all compatible with the Microsoft Teams SIP gateway. 

For example, you can choose devices that come with noise isolation technology, hands-free visitor communication, and two-way speech. Paging isn’t simply loud messages over a tannoy system. It’s smart technology that’s now interoperable with the SIP gateway.

• Algo IP Speakers: These devices allow voice paging and public address announcements within Teams.
• Algo IP Paging Adapters: Used to integrate legacy paging systems with Teams.
• Multicast Support: Enables paging across multiple endpoints without requiring individual SIP registrations.

Other paging solutions compatible with the Microsoft SIP gateway include:

To set up the Algo paging system, follow these instructions:

Enable Teams SIP gateway:

• Access Teams Admin Center under Voice > Calling Policies
• Enable “SIP devices can be used for calls” setting
• Ensure firewall ports are open (TCP 5061, UDP 49152–53247)

Configure user account:

• Create a user account in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center
• Assign a Teams Shared Device License
• Associate a Direct Inward Dialing (DID) phone number with the account

Provision the device:

• Connect the Algo device to your network and confirm it’s running firmware v5.3.4 or higher
• Access the device’s web interface via its IP address
• In Advanced Settings > Admin, enable Microsoft Teams Support
• Select the correct Teams SIP Gateway region for your tenant

Pair device with Teams:

• On the device’s Status tab, generate a pairing code
• In your browser, go to the Microsoft login portal and sign in with the resource account credentials
• Enter the pairing code to register the device
• Verify registration by calling the assigned DID and ensuring the device rings

Scale with Multicast (optional):

• Configure additional Algo devices in multicast receive mode
• Only the primary device needs SIP registration when using multicast
• Define multicast zones on the master device to target paging groups

Note: You may need to reboot the devices once paired.

2. Integrating with session border controllers (SBC)

If you’re running your own SBCs, like with Direct Routing, you’ve got two options for setting up paging in Microsoft Teams:

• Dedicated SBC: A hardware/software device that securely manages SIP-based real-time media traffic.
• SaaS-based integration: Some providers offer cloud-based paging solutions that work with Teams.

Here’s how to set up each option paging when using an SBC. These instructions assume you’ve already selected and configured a Microsoft-certified SBC vendor for Direct Routing.

Configure Teams Direct Routing:

• Create resource accounts in Microsoft 365 Admin Center
• Assign Teams Phone Resource Account licenses (free for resource accounts)
• Configure SBC connection via Teams Admin Center or PowerShell
• Set up voice routing policies and phone number assignments

Connect Paging Systems:

• Configure SIP extensions for paging endpoints on SBC
• Set up call routing from Teams to paging devices
• Test end-to-end calling from Teams to paging systems

Configure Advanced Features:

• Set up paging groups and multicast zones via SBC
• Configure emergency paging and priority routing
• Implement failover and redundancy as needed

3. Using Teams-compatible desk phones

If you have (or plan to buy) desk phones with paging functionality, this is a simpler rollout than configuring SBCs or setting up dedicated IP paging devices.

However, there are some drawbacks when it comes to using a handset instead of a specialist paging device.

To set up paging on a standard desk phone, you’ll need one of these Teams-certified handsets or conference phones:

AudioCodes

• C430HD
• C435HD
• C436HD (with integrated sidecar)
• C455HD
• C470HD
• C455HD-DBW (supports Expansion Module)
• Exp Module (for C455HD-DBW)

Poly

• CCX350
• CCX400
• CCX500
• CCX505
• CCX600
• Trio C60 / C60 NR / C60 ND
• EM60 Expansion Module (for CCX505 and CCX600)

Yealink

• MP52 E2
• MP54 E2
• MP56 E2
• MP58 E2
• MP54
• MP56
• MP58
• CP965 (conference phone)
• EXP50 Expansion Module (for MP56, MP58 and E2 variants)

To configure these handsets, you’ll need a shared device license to enable paging functionality if you’re not planning to use it as a normal handset. 

If you’re doubling up a user’s handset with paging functionality, you only need to configure it with a Teams Phone license.

That said, in these scenarios, you only experience the built-in handset paging functionality; which is significantly limited compared to a paging-specific solution.

4. Third-party paging solutions

There are a number of non-certified but integrative solutions that enable emergency notifications and paging support with Teams.

For example, Singlewire Informacast uses bots and adaptive cards to send alerts through connected devices. Likewise, paging is possible when connected to Direct Routing. 

Calls destined for InformaCast are handed off to the SBC and delivered to the InformaCast Fusion server via SIP to trigger an audio broadcast to the IP Zone Controller(s) for overhead paging and to any other multicast compatible devices.

There’s no quick and easy way to set up a non-certified option, so always speak to your Microsoft partner.

Need help with your paging setup in Microsoft Teams?

While paging is simple for those that have been there and done it, it’s tricky to get to grips with.

If you’re looking to use paging as the final piece of your Teams Phone puzzle, let us get you over the line.

At Cloud Revolution, we don’t consider ourselves simply Teams experts, we’re the Teams people.

We’re people like Adam Ball, co-founder of the community event, Comms vNext, and Chad McGreanor, who has over 20 years of experience in Microsoft-focused senior roles spanning practice management, consulting, and managed services.

When you opt for Cloud Revolution, you benefit from:

• Microsoft Partner of the Year 2023, Finalist 2022 & 2024
• Proven track record of delivering measurable business outcomes
• Trusted by leading organizations across industries
• Human-centered, relationship-driven approach

Ready to finalize your Teams Phone implementation?

Book a call with our Teams Phone people here.