Transitioning your organisation’s voice communications to Microsoft Teams unlocks powerful collaboration tools, but it requires a crucial piece of infrastructure: a Session Border Controller (SBC). For enabling Teams Direct Routing, a certified SBC for Teams is not just recommended, it is essential. This device or software acts as a secure bridge between your internal Teams environment and the external public telephone network (PSTN), allowing you to keep your chosen telecom provider while ensuring robust security and call control.

The market offers a wide array of hardware appliances, virtual machines, and cloud-based SBCs, making the selection process a significant challenge for IT managers. This guide is designed to simplify that decision. We will present a curated list of leading certified SBCs, evaluating each on its deployment flexibility, security protocols, management interface, and overall value. For those looking to simplify the entire process from selection to implementation, exploring broader strategies like turnkey network solutions can provide a more integrated approach.

This article cuts straight to the point, helping you find the right solution for your specific needs, whether you're a small business or a large enterprise. Each entry includes detailed descriptions, key features, and direct links so you can make an informed choice to empower your communication strategy.

1. Cloud Move

Cloud Move solidifies its position as a premier choice for organisations seeking a robust, unified communications framework. It delivers an enterprise-focused cloud managed contact centre and telephony solution that excels in integration, compliance, and support. By building on established platforms like Microsoft Teams Voice (via Direct Routing) and Zoom Phone BYOC, it provides a dependable foundation for modernising customer experience operations, making it a standout option for teams that need a certified SBC for Teams deployment.

The platform distinguishes itself by aggregating numerous communication channels-including Voice, SMS, WhatsApp, social media, web chat, and email-into a single, coherent agent interface. This unification directly addresses a common pain point for many support teams: fragmented customer conversations. An agent can see a complete interaction history across all channels, leading to improved first-contact resolution and more accurate, holistic reporting for supervisors.

Key Strengths and Deployment Flexibility

A significant advantage of Cloud Move is its architectural flexibility. Organisations are not locked into a single deployment model. They can select a fully cloud, on-premise, or hybrid architecture to precisely match their specific security, compliance, and data sovereignty requirements. This is particularly valuable for regulated industries like finance and healthcare, which often have strict rules about where customer data can be stored and processed.

The platform’s technical capabilities are further strengthened by:

• Certified SBC Support: Utilising Anynode for its Session Border Controller, Cloud Move guarantees secure and reliable interconnectivity between your Teams or Zoom environment and external carriers. This certified direct routing is essential for high-quality, stable voice communications.
• Regional Carrier Integration: With direct PSTN partnerships with major UAE carriers like Etisalat and DU, businesses in the region benefit from optimised call quality and simplified telephony management.
• Deep CRM Integration: The system connects seamlessly with leading CRMs such as Microsoft Dynamics 365, Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot. This creates a unified customer record, enriching agent context and providing deeper analytics.

A Focus on Implementation and Support

Beyond the technology itself, Cloud Move provides extensive implementation and ongoing support to ensure teams realise the full value of their investment. The service includes formal agent and supervisor training focused on performance KPIs and analytics, 24/7 live technical assistance, and specialist consultancy to fine-tune deployments for maximum ROI. Their ability to develop custom integrations with proprietary ERP or ticketing systems makes it a practical fit for enterprises with complex existing workflows.

While pricing is not publicly listed and requires a consultation, this "Pay Only For What You Use" model offers flexibility. It allows businesses to scale their contact centre capabilities without over-investing in unused capacity.

Website: https://cloud-call-center.ae

2. AudioCodes Mediant SBC family

AudioCodes has established a strong reputation in the enterprise voice market, and its Mediant family of Session Border Controllers is a testament to this legacy. As one of the original and most widely deployed vendors for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, AudioCodes provides a mature and robust solution trusted by organisations from small businesses to large-scale carriers. Their website serves as a technical resource hub, detailing their extensive portfolio of certified hardware appliances, virtual editions, and cloud-native SBCs.

The primary differentiator for AudioCodes is its deep-rooted integration and co-development history with Microsoft. This relationship results in reliable interoperability and frequent updates, especially concerning evolving security protocols like mTLS and certificate management. Their products are purpose-built for Teams, supporting critical features like Media Bypass and Local Media Optimisation to ensure superior voice quality.

Key Offerings and Management

AudioCodes stands out with its flexible deployment models, allowing organisations to choose the best fit for their infrastructure strategy:

• Hardware Appliances: The Mediant series includes a range of physical appliances designed for different capacities, from small branch offices to large corporate data centres.
• Virtual Edition (VE): For businesses with established virtualisation environments, the Mediant SBC can be deployed as a virtual machine on-premises or in a private cloud.
• Cloud Edition (CE): This option is a cloud-native SBC designed for deployment directly within Microsoft Azure, offering tight integration with the cloud ecosystem.

A significant benefit for IT managers is the powerful tooling available. The One Voice Operations Centre (OVOC) and Routing Manager provide centralised control and monitoring, which is essential for managing multi-site or complex telephony estates.

Expert Insight: The strength of AudioCodes lies in its tooling and support. For a multi-site organisation, having a single pane of glass like OVOC to monitor voice quality and manage routing across all locations simplifies administration and speeds up troubleshooting considerably.

Pros and Cons

Strengths	Weaknesses
Mature, proven interoperability with Teams	Licensing SKUs can be complex for newcomers
Flexible deployment (hardware, virtual, cloud)	Hardware models involve supply chain lead times
Powerful centralised management tools	Initial configuration can be more involved
Strong support for legacy PBX integration

For those just beginning their journey with Teams voice, exploring the architecture of a certified SBC for Teams is a critical first step. AudioCodes provides substantial guidance and documentation, making their platform a dependable choice for ensuring a secure and high-quality voice experience.

Website: AudioCodes Microsoft Teams Solutions

3. Ribbon Communications SBCs (SWe/SWe Edge, SBC 1000/2000/5400/7000, EdgeMarc)

Ribbon Communications, a major player in real-time communications, offers one of the broadest portfolios of Session Border Controllers certified for Microsoft Teams. Their long history, particularly with a deep footprint in carrier networks, gives them a unique position in the market. This background is beneficial for enterprises looking at Operator Connect or complex Bring Your Own Carrier (BYOC) scenarios. Their website acts as a detailed guide, breaking down their extensive range from small branch office appliances to carrier-grade and cloud-native software solutions.

A key differentiator for Ribbon is its strong alignment with hybrid cloud strategies. Their software-based SBCs, particularly the SWe and SWe Edge, are available directly from the Azure Marketplace. This allows for rapid deployment and scaling within an organisation’s own Azure tenancy, providing agility that hardware-centric solutions cannot match. As a certified SBC for Teams, their products fully support Media Bypass and Local Media Optimisation, which are vital for maintaining high-quality voice in distributed work environments.

Key Offerings and Management

Ribbon’s extensive product line is designed to cater for virtually any deployment scenario, from a small office to a multinational corporation:

• Software Editions: The SWe (Software Edition) and SWe Edge are cloud-native SBCs designed for deployment in public or private clouds, with the Azure Marketplace offering being a popular choice.
• Hardware Appliances: The SBC 1000/2000 series are built for branch offices and small to medium enterprises, while the 5400/7000 series address the needs of large enterprises and service providers.
• EdgeMarc Series: These devices are often deployed at the network edge to provide demarcation, security, and quality of service for voice traffic.

Their platform also boasts broad interoperability with a wide array of legacy PBX systems and SIP trunking providers, simplifying migration projects for organisations moving away from traditional telephony.

Expert Insight: Ribbon's Azure Marketplace offering is a game-changer for organisations that need speed and flexibility. The ability to deploy a certified SBC directly into your own Azure environment in minutes, rather than weeks, dramatically accelerates Teams Direct Routing projects and proof-of-concept testing.

Pros and Cons

Strengths	Weaknesses
Strong fit for distributed, hybrid topologies	Portfolio breadth can complicate model selection
Deep footprint in carriers is good for BYOC	Azure consumption costs can spike if not right-sized
Azure Marketplace deployment for rapid spin-up
Regional presence for support in MEA

For businesses with a strong Azure presence or those requiring intricate carrier integrations, Ribbon Communications presents a powerful and flexible option. Their website provides the necessary documentation to navigate their offerings and find the right fit for your telephony architecture.

Website: Ribbon Communications Microsoft Teams Solutions

4. Oracle Communications Enterprise SBC (Acme Packet series and virtual E-SBC)

Oracle’s heritage in carrier-grade telecommunications is evident in its Enterprise Session Border Controller portfolio, originally known as the Acme Packet series. For organisations that prioritise security, compliance, and high availability, Oracle provides a battle-tested solution. The platform is engineered for the most demanding environments, and its website details the hardware and virtual E-SBCs that are certified for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, making it a strong contender for enterprises in regulated industries.

The primary differentiator for Oracle is its focus on robust security and analytics. The platform includes advanced protection against Denial-of-Service (DoS/DDoS) attacks, toll fraud prevention, and deep packet inspection for every SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)-based call. This carrier-grade stability makes it a dependable choice for large-scale, high-concurrency deployments where downtime is not an option. For businesses in the UAE and wider MEA region, Oracle’s strong regional presence offers localised support and aids in data residency planning.

Key Offerings and Management

Oracle offers both physical and virtualised deployment options, allowing businesses to align their SBC strategy with their existing infrastructure:

• Hardware Appliances (AP Series): The Acme Packet series of hardware is built for performance and reliability, scaling from small enterprise needs to massive service provider capacities.
• Virtualised E-SBC (V-E-SBC): For organisations running on virtualised infrastructure (like VMware or KVM) or in public clouds, the V-E-SBC provides feature parity with the hardware appliances in a flexible software form.

Management is handled through a command-line interface (CLI) and web GUI, with powerful observability features that provide deep insights into call quality, network performance, and security events.

Expert Insight: Oracle SBCs are the go-to for many financial institutions and government entities for a reason. Their architecture is built for security first. While the initial setup requires specialised knowledge, the resulting stability and control over call routing and security policies are first-class.

Pros and Cons

Strengths	Weaknesses
Proven at carrier scale; stable for high concurrency	Higher complexity and longer deployment cycles
Strong security and compliance controls	Pricing can be at a premium for enterprise scale
Suited for regulated sectors (finance, government)	CLI-heavy management can be steep for new admins
Regional presence and support in UAE/MEA

For organisations researching telephony architecture, understanding the fundamentals of call setup is key. Learning more about the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) provides a solid foundation before selecting a certified SBC for Teams. Oracle's detailed documentation and robust platform make it a worthy consideration for mission-critical voice services.

Website: Oracle Communications Enterprise Session Border Controller

5. Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE)

For organisations already heavily invested in Cisco infrastructure, the Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE) presents a logical and efficient path to Microsoft Teams Direct Routing. Rather than being a standalone product, CUBE is a session border controller function embedded within the robust IOS XE software that powers many of Cisco's routers and Catalyst 8000 platforms. This integration makes it a powerful choice for enterprises looking to reuse existing hardware, skill sets, and network configurations.

The primary differentiator for CUBE is its native integration into the Cisco ecosystem. IT teams that already manage Cisco routers for their WAN and voice services can apply familiar command-line interface (CLI) commands and deployment templates. This significantly reduces the learning curve and operational overhead associated with introducing a new vendor. CUBE is officially certified by Microsoft across a range of supported platforms and IOS XE versions, ensuring reliable interoperability for features like Media Bypass.

Key Offerings and Management

Cisco's approach centres on extending the functionality of existing network hardware, offering a hardware-centric deployment model that is both stable and performant:

• Integrated on Routers: CUBE is a licensed feature on platforms like the Catalyst 8000 Edge series and older Integrated Services Routers (ISRs). This allows a single device to handle routing, security, and session border control.
• CUCM Integration: It provides exceptionally flexible interoperability with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), allowing for complex migration scenarios where a legacy phone system needs to coexist with Teams.
• Performance at the Edge: When deployed on appropriately sized hardware, CUBE delivers solid and predictable performance, making it a reliable foundation for enterprise voice.

Management is handled through the standard Cisco IOS XE CLI and can be integrated with Cisco management tools. This provides a consistent operational experience for network administrators.

Expert Insight: The real strength of CUBE lies in consolidation. For a company running a Cisco-centric WAN, adding a CUBE license to an existing edge router is far simpler and more cost-effective than deploying and managing a separate SBC appliance or virtual machine from another vendor.

Pros and Cons

Strengths	Weaknesses
Natural fit for Cisco-heavy networks	Hardware-based approach may be less elastic
Reduces new vendor introduction and training	IOS XE version alignment must be maintained
Solid performance and stability	Can be complex for those unfamiliar with Cisco CLI
Reuses existing infrastructure and templates

For organisations standardising on Cisco, CUBE is an excellent example of a certified SBC for Teams that builds upon existing investments. You can explore more about migrating to a fully integrated Microsoft Teams voice solution to see how it fits into a broader communications strategy.

Website: Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE)

6. TE-Systems anynode (software SBC)

TE-Systems offers a distinct approach with its anynode Session Border Controller, a fully software-based solution that prioritises agility and straightforward deployment. As a lightweight software that runs on Windows or Linux, anynode is a popular choice for organisations that prefer to use their existing virtualised infrastructure, whether on-premises or in a public cloud. The platform's website provides clear technical documentation, configuration guides, and community resources, making it accessible for SMBs and mid-sized enterprises.

The primary differentiator for anynode is its software-only model, which eliminates hardware dependencies and associated supply chain delays. This allows IT teams to deploy a fully certified SBC for Teams in minutes, not weeks. The product is fully certified by Microsoft for Direct Routing, supporting essential voice quality features like Media Bypass and Local Media Optimisation. Its user-friendly interface and simple licensing model are particularly appealing to organisations without dedicated telephony specialists.

Key Offerings and Management

anynode is designed for simplicity and flexibility, focusing exclusively on a software deployment model that integrates into your current environment:

• Software-Based SBC: Deployed as an application on a Windows or Linux server, either physical or virtual. This gives administrators full control over the underlying resources.
• Cloud Ready: It can be installed on virtual machines in any public cloud, including Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud, offering a path to cloud telephony without vendor lock-in.
• Configuration Wizard: The built-in wizard simplifies the setup process for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, guiding administrators through the necessary steps and reducing the potential for configuration errors.

Management is performed through a clean web-based GUI, which provides real-time monitoring of sessions, call history, and system health. This straightforward administrative experience is a major advantage for day-to-day operations and troubleshooting.

Expert Insight: The real strength of anynode is its speed and cost-efficiency for smaller-scale deployments. For a business needing to connect a single office or a few dozen users to Teams, you can have a fully functional SBC running on an existing VM in under an hour with a very predictable, linear cost model.

Pros and Cons

Strengths	Weaknesses
Fast rollout with no hardware lead times	Requires admin attention to underlying OS hardening
Cost-efficient for small footprints; scales linearly	Very large or carrier-scale deployments may prefer dedicated hardware
Excellent admin experience for day-to-day operations	Performance is dependent on the host environment's resources
Simple UI and straightforward licensing model

For organisations seeking an agile and cost-effective path to Teams Direct Routing, anynode presents a compelling, software-centric alternative to traditional hardware appliances. Its focus on easy deployment and management makes it a strong contender for businesses that value speed and control over their infrastructure.

Website: TE-Systems anynode & Microsoft Teams

7. Avaya Session Border Controller for Enterprise (ASBCE)

Avaya has a significant installed base in the global enterprise telephony market, and its Session Border Controller for Enterprise (ASBCE) is a key component for organisations integrating their existing Avaya infrastructure with Microsoft Teams. The ASBCE is a Microsoft-certified solution for Direct Routing, making it a natural choice for businesses already invested in the Avaya ecosystem. Avaya’s website provides technical documentation and solution briefs that position the ASBCE as a secure bridge between their established platforms and the modern collaboration suite of Teams.

The primary advantage of the ASBCE is its seamless interoperability with Avaya Aura and IP Office environments. This allows for staged, low-risk migrations where employees can be moved to Teams voice in phases while maintaining full call connectivity with users still on the legacy Avaya system. It supports critical Teams features like Media Bypass for voice quality optimisation and, in later releases, ELIN for E911 compliance, addressing key enterprise requirements.

Key Offerings and Management

Avaya offers the ASBCE in form factors that accommodate different infrastructure strategies, with a clear focus on established enterprise environments:

• Hardware Appliances: Purpose-built physical devices designed to meet specific performance and port density requirements.
• Virtualised Software: A software-based version that can be deployed on standard virtualisation platforms like VMware or KVM, providing flexibility for businesses with private cloud or datacentre footprints.

For management, the ASBCE is configured via a web-based graphical user interface that will be familiar to Avaya administrators. Its strength lies in its ability to securely manage SIP trunking and interwork complex call routing between the PSTN, Microsoft Teams, and Avaya’s own call control and contact centre platforms.

Expert Insight: For any organisation with a large Avaya Aura or IP Office deployment, the ASBCE is the path of least resistance for Teams Direct Routing. It minimises disruption and protects existing investments in Avaya endpoints and contact centre solutions during a gradual migration.

Pros and Cons

Strengths	Weaknesses
Ideal for Avaya-to-Teams coexistence	Less compelling as a greenfield choice
Mature enterprise features and security	Documentation can assume Avaya ecosystem familiarity
Strong interop with Avaya contact centre
Supports key compliance (E911) and media features

For IT leaders managing an Avaya estate, understanding how this certified SBC for Teams integrates is fundamental to a successful cloud voice strategy. Avaya provides a reliable and feature-rich pathway for blending their proven telephony with the collaboration power of Microsoft Teams.

Website: Avaya

Certified SBCs for Teams — 7-Product Comparison

Solution	Implementation Complexity 🔄	Resource Requirements ⚡	Expected Outcomes ⭐📊	Ideal Use Cases 📊	Key Advantages 💡
Cloud Move	Managed, moderate customization and integrations	Minimal infra; vendor-managed Azure hosting and training	Unified omnichannel CX, improved reporting & compliance ⭐⭐	SMBs/enterprises needing omnichannel + regulatory alignment	Deep CRM integrations, flexible cloud/on‑prem/hybrid, 24/7 support
AudioCodes Mediant SBC family	Moderate; multiple SKUs and deployment modes	Requires SBC/network expertise; appliance or VM/cloud resources	Stable Teams Direct Routing with strong monitoring ⭐⭐	Multi-site estates and organisations needing proven Teams interop	Mature interop, OVOC/Routing Manager, flexible licensing
Ribbon Communications SBCs	Medium; broad portfolio requires selection effort	Azure or appliance resources; carrier integration support	Good hybrid/carrier-grade routing and scalability ⭐⭐	Distributed/hybrid topologies and operator SIP environments	Strong carrier footprint, Azure Marketplace options, hybrid flexibility
Oracle Communications Enterprise SBC	High; carrier-scale deployments and security tuning	Significant infra, ops expertise and premium licensing	High security, observability and carrier-scale stability ⭐⭐⭐	Regulated sectors and carrier/provider-scale deployments	Robust DoS/DDoS protections, analytics, proven at scale
Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE)	Moderate; IOS XE version alignment and router configs	Leverages existing Cisco WAN/voice hardware and skills	Stable reuse of Cisco infrastructure and CUCM interop ⭐⭐	Cisco-centric networks wanting minimal new vendors	Reuses Cisco platforms, solid stability when sized correctly
TE-Systems anynode	Low; lightweight software SBC and simple UI	VM/cloud resources; basic admin hardening and monitoring	Fast deployment and cost-efficient scaling ⭐	SMBs and mid-market needing quick, agile Direct Routing	Quick roll‑out, linear scaling, straightforward licensing
Avaya Session Border Controller for Enterprise (ASBCE)	Medium; optimal when integrated with Avaya estates	Avaya infrastructure and voice team expertise	Smooth Avaya-to-Teams coexistence and migration ⭐⭐	Organisations with Avaya Aura/IP Office planning staged migration	Tight Avaya interoperability, ELIN/E911 support, enterprise features

Making the Final Connection: Your Path Forward

Navigating the landscape of Session Border Controllers for Microsoft Teams has revealed a diverse set of powerful options. We have explored a range of solutions, from hardware-centric appliances like the AudioCodes Mediant and Ribbon Communications families to software-defined platforms such as Cisco CUBE and TE-Systems anynode. Each of these tools serves as a critical bridge, enabling Direct Routing and securing your organisation's connection to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

Your journey towards selecting the ideal certified SBC for Teams is not just a technical exercise; it is a strategic one. The right choice fortifies your security posture, controls operational costs, and supports your future communication architecture. The decision hinges on your unique business context, weighing factors like your existing telephony infrastructure, the level of in-house technical expertise, and your long-term goals for customer and employee interaction.

Charting Your Course: How to Choose

Making the final selection requires careful consideration of your specific circumstances. Your starting point significantly influences your ideal path forward.

• For Businesses with Existing Infrastructure: If your organisation is already deeply invested in a particular vendor's ecosystem, the path of least resistance is often the most logical. For example, a business running on Cisco networking and voice will find the Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE) a natural and familiar extension. Similarly, enterprises migrating from a legacy Avaya PBX can achieve a smoother transition by using the Avaya Session Border Controller for Enterprise (ASBCE).

• For Organisations Prioritising Agility: If your priority is flexibility, scalability, and rapid deployment in a virtualised or cloud environment, software-based solutions present a compelling case. A tool like TE-Systems anynode shines here, offering a lightweight footprint that can be deployed quickly on standard servers or in the cloud, sidestepping the need for physical hardware procurement and installation.

• For a Fully Managed, Integrated Approach: For many small to mid-size businesses in the UAE, or even enterprises seeking to offload complexity, managing an SBC is a non-core activity. The real objective is to deliver a superior customer and agent experience. In this scenario, a managed service that bundles SBC functionality with a complete contact centre solution is the most efficient choice. This approach removes the burden of configuration, security patching, and carrier management, allowing your team to focus on its primary mission.

Ultimately, selecting a certified SBC for Teams is the foundational step. The real value is unlocked when it is integrated into a cohesive communication strategy. We recommend shortlisting two or three options from this guide that align with your profile. Schedule demonstrations to see precisely how each solution handles your key use cases, from security policies and call routing logic to reporting capabilities and the end-user experience for your agents. This practical evaluation will provide the clarity needed to make a confident, future-proof decision.

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Ready to move beyond basic telephony and create a truly integrated customer experience centre? Cloud Move offers a managed, all-in-one solution that combines a certified SBC for Teams with a powerful omnichannel contact centre, deep CRM integrations, and full support for local UAE carriers. Let us handle the technical complexity so you can focus on building meaningful connections. Explore how Cloud Move can elevate your team's communication capabilities today.