Questions
- What is Teams Calling and how does it work at Bowdoin?
- Can I use a physical desk phone with Teams Calling?
- Will I need a new headset for Teams Calling?
- Can I answer a department phone line through Teams?
- Can I use Teams Calling on my smartphone without giving out my cell number?
- How do I prevent calls after hours or when I don't want to be disturbed?
- Will I still receive voicemails by email?
- Can I call 911 from Teams Calling? How will dispatchers know where I am?
- Can I call regular phone numbers and people at other institutions?
- How do shared or department phone numbers work with Teams Calling?
- Do I still need to dial a "9" to call an outside number?
- What happens to my calls when I'm in a meeting?
- Can I see if a colleague is available before I call them?
Environment
This FAQ applies to Bowdoin College faculty and staff using Microsoft Teams Calling, Bowdoin's primary campus phone system. Teams Calling is available on the Teams desktop app (macOS and Windows), the Teams mobile app (iOS and Android), and on Teams-compatible Poly desk phones.
- Students: Personal Teams Calling numbers are not assigned to students. Student employees who need phone access use a shared desk phone in their work area.
Resolution
Devices and hardware
Can I use a dedicated desk phone with Teams Calling?
Yes. Poly desk phones are available for faculty and staff who want or need one. Many people find the Teams desktop or mobile app meets their needs without a physical phone — but if your role requires a desk phone, contact the Service Desk to request one.
I have a headset — will it work? Where can I get a supported headset?
Many existing headsets work with Teams, but not all are officially supported. Supported models and purchase links are available through W.B. Mason — see Choose and Set Up a Headset for Teams Calling in the Related Articles section. Headsets are a departmental expense. If you already have a headset you like, it is worth testing it with Teams before purchasing a new one.
I do not have room on my personal smartphone for apps. Can I still make calls from Teams?
Yes. You can sign in to Teams from any web browser at teams.microsoft.com and make or receive calls from there, or from any computer where Teams is installed.
Phone numbers and calling
Do I still need to dial a "9" before calling an outside number?
No. Just dial the 10-digit number directly, the same way you would on your smartphone. Long-distance codes are not required either — you can call anywhere in the US by dialing the full number.
Can I call regular phone numbers — like colleagues at other institutions?
Yes. You can call any telephone number from Teams Calling, whether it belongs to a Teams user or not. Enter the number directly in the dial pad or click the phone icon next to a contact.
If I use Teams Calling on my smartphone, do I have to give out my cell number?
No. Calls made from the Teams app on your phone show your Bowdoin phone number to the person you are calling — not your personal cell number. Incoming calls to your Bowdoin number ring in the Teams app without exposing your personal number.
If I use Teams Calling on my smartphone, does it use my data plan?
When your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, Teams uses that connection. If you are only on cellular data (4G/5G), Teams will use your data — but audio-only calls use very little data. Your cellular calling minutes are not used.
Shared lines and office coverage
I currently answer a department phone line. Can I still do this in Teams?
Yes. Department lines can be configured to ring through to one or multiple staff members in Teams. Contact the Service Desk to discuss the best setup for your department.
I answer calls on behalf of another person. Can I still do this?
Yes. Teams Calling supports call delegation, which allows another person to make and receive calls on your behalf. Both people need to have Teams Calling enabled. See Delegate Your Teams Phone Line to Another Person in the Related Articles section.
I used a sidecar on my old Cisco phone to see presence and set speed dials. Does Teams do this?
Yes — and more. Teams shows presence status for your contacts (Available, Busy, In a meeting, Away, Do Not Disturb, and more) and supports speed dials so you can check availability at a glance. See Set Up Speed Dials and Check Contact Presence in Teams in the Related Articles section.
Can I forward my calls to someone else?
Yes. You can forward calls to any Teams user or phone number, or set up simultaneous ring so multiple people are alerted at once. See Forward Calls and Set Up Simultaneous Ring in Teams in the Related Articles section.
How do shared department numbers work — like in the Mail Center or Copy Center?
Shared numbers can be handled in several ways depending on your department's needs: simultaneous ring to multiple phones, ring groups, or call queues. Contact the Service Desk to discuss the right option for your area.
How will an 800 number or main department number work?
Department numbers — including 800 numbers — can ring one or more Teams desk phones simultaneously or in sequence, or route through a call queue or auto attendant. Contact the Service Desk to discuss options.
I have a student employee who needs to use a phone. How does that work?
Student employees who need to make or receive calls are assigned a shared common-area phone in their work location. Students do not receive personal Teams Calling accounts due to licensing restrictions. If multiple students work in the same role, they share the device assigned to that location.
Voicemail and notifications
Will I still receive voicemails in my email?
Yes. Voicemails are automatically transcribed and delivered to your Bowdoin email, and are also available through the Teams app on any of your devices. See Access and Listen to Your Voicemail in Microsoft Teams in the Related Articles section.
How do I prevent calls after hours or when I don't want to be disturbed?
You have two options. First, you can set your status to Do Not Disturb in Teams at any time — callers will go directly to voicemail. Second, you can configure Quiet Hours in the Teams mobile app to automatically stop notifications during evenings and weekends. See Set Quiet Hours in Teams to Silence Calls After Hours in the Related Articles section.
Emergency calling (E911)
Can I call 9-1-1 from Teams Calling? How will dispatchers know where I am?
Yes. Bowdoin uses Intrado, a leading E911 provider, to ensure 911 calls from Teams reach the right dispatch center with accurate location information. On campus, your location is identified using the network port or wireless access point your device is connected to, and is sent automatically to 911 dispatchers and Bowdoin Security.
If you are off campus when you call 911 from Teams, Intrado routes your call to the nearest 911 center using your best available location.
For the most accurate on-campus location from a Mac, make sure macOS Location Services are enabled for Microsoft Teams — see Enable Location Services for Teams Calling on a Mac (E911) in the Related Articles section.
Where is the "iDivert" button I used to use on my Cisco phone?
That function still exists in Teams — it just looks different. When a call is incoming, click or tap the red decline button to send it directly to voicemail without answering.
General questions
Is Teams Calling hard to learn?
If you are comfortable using a smartphone, Teams Calling will feel familiar very quickly. The Teams app works similarly to most mobile phone interfaces — tap to call, tap to answer, tap to end. The Service Desk and the Teams Calling Knowledge Base have resources to help you get up to speed.
What is a Teams desk phone, exactly?
Teams desk phones are touch-screen devices that run a version of the Teams app. Bowdoin uses Poly phones, which have a handset, speaker phone, and a screen you navigate by touch — much like a tablet with a phone receiver attached. They can also be used with a connected headset if preferred.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.