In response to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Microsoft has provided a 6-month free trial of their Audio Conferencing in Office 365 software to Missouri State faculty and staff. This software allows up to 250 attendees to call into meetings using their phones. Audio conferencing is useful when users cannot use the Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business applications to attend meetings. Scenarios for when to use the dial-in feature include:
- Internet connectivity is limited.
- If a meeting is audio-only.
- If you tried to join a Teams or Skype for Business meeting and it failed.
- If the call quality is better when dialing in.
- You want to join a meeting “hands-free” using Bluetooth devices.
- If it’s easier and more convenient for your situation.
A toll-free phone number is now provided with every Teams or Skype for Business meeting invite, and attendees can call this number to dial into the meeting with the provided PIN.
If your account has been set up to use Audio Conferencing, you should have received an email from Microsoft today (March 18, 2020) with the toll-free number and Audio Conferencing PIN used for meetings that you host. If you are not the one hosting the meeting, look for the phone number and Conference ID PIN on your meeting invitation.
See Audio Conferencing in Office 365 and Audio Conferencing Common Questions for more information.