What is happening? UiO moves from traditional landline phones to using the phone functionality in Teams
Currently, UiO is purchasing landline telephony from SIKT, but SIKT will discontinue this service in the second half of 2025. Most others in the sector have already switched to telephony via Teams, and now UiO will join them. This is the most practical solution, and the move has been decided by the university director.
When? The move starts in September
The move to Teams telephony will begin as early as September and will take place faculty by faculty. Initially, individual employees with a landline phone today will be moved. When this forst move is finalized, call queues, menus, switchboards and other specialized functions will be moved. Everyone will be notified well in advance before they are transitioned, and comprehensive online guides will be available. The IT department will also offer training if needed and dedicated instruction for switchboards and other specialized roles. See the timeline for the transition to Teams telephony.
What about specialized functions and phones that are currently shared by many?
All queues, menus, and other solutions, such as landline phones in expeditions or places where people work shifts, will continue to operate as they do today until a suitable solution is found for them. The work to transfer queues and customizations will begin after individuals and their phone numbers have been moved to Teams telephony. Everyone will be notified well in advance before they are moved or their current solution is changed..
What is Teams telephony?
When your Teams phone has been activated, you will no longer have alandline telephone set on your desk; instead, you will make and receive calls through Teams. Teams is connected to the regular telephone network, so you can receive calls to and make calls from your old landline phone number. They do not need to have Teams or think about Teams. From the outside, it will not be noticeable that UiO has transitioned to Teams telephony.
How does it work?
When you have Teams phone, a dial pad will appear in your standard Teams application. When you want to make a call, you put on your headphones and dial the number of the person you wish to speak with. You will keep your current phone number, and the person you are calling will see that number, just as if you were calling from a landline phone. Those who wish to call you will dial your regular phone number.
When someone calls, you will get a notification on your screen. To answer, you put on your headphones and click the Answer button on the screen. If you are away from your computer when someone calls, you will see a notification in Teams, and you can return the call. You can use Teams phone from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device as long as you are logged in with your username@uio.no account in the Teams application on that device. If you have Teams on your mobile phone, you can answer calls within the Teams app when someone calls your landline phone number..
Will I get Teams phone??
Everyone who has a landline phone today will have their number transferred to Teams telephony. You cannot continue to use a landline phone in the same way as you do today. Most people will retain their phone numbers, but those with numbers starting with 22 84 xx xxwill be assigned a new number starting with 22 85 xx xx. This is to create more organized number series and to prevent UiO from paying for more number than we actually use.
What about headphones?
You can use the same headphones you currently use for Zoom and Teams meetings. If you need to use telephony in Teams and do not have headphones, notify your nearest manager who can arrange for them to be purchased. You can also make calls with Teams phone without headphones, but you must be in a quiet environment with a good microphone and speaker on your computer. If you are using Teams phone from the Teams app on your mobile, you do not need headphones.
What is Teams phone on mobile?
If you have Teams installed on your mobile phone, the Teams phone on your mobile will ring when you receive a call to your landline number. If you are at your computer, you can decide whether to answer the call on your mobile or your computer. You can also make calls using Teams phone from Teams on your mobile..
Note that the Teams phone on your mobile will ring when someone calls your landline phone number, and your landline phone number will be displayed when you call someone from Teams on mobile.
The Teams phone on your mobile is completely separate from the calling function on your mobile phone. If you do not have Teams on your mobile, you will not notice the transition to Teams telephony on your mobile.
How can I learn to use Teams phone?
Once you have Teams phone, the dial pad for making calls will be easy to find in the Teams application. For normal use, you simply enter a phone number there to make a call. The IT department will provide UiO-customized online guides. The IT department will also offer training if needed and dedicated instruction for switchboards and other specialized roles
Do you have any questions?
If you have questions regarding the use of Teams phone?
If you have questions about the transition to Teams telephony that are not technical in nature, please contact your nearest manager.