Forum Discussion
Communication Credit Allocation
Hello All,
We have a pool of users set up with Domestic and International Call Plans. However there are certain numbers they cannot dial, for example a National Rate non-geographical number isn't supported within the Call Plan. So for these 'special' numbers we need to provide 'Communication Credits'.
The trouble is I think 'Communication Credits' can only be allocated at a Tenant Level. Ideally we'd want to bill our individual legal entities with what they have consumed. I'm not aware of any way to do this. I'm not even sure if the 'PSTN Usage' report can be run on a schedule (e.g. via Graph / Powershell), to provide reporting for this.
Ideally I'd like to be able to cap the 'Communication Credits' spent per user, or maybe a group. And be able to report on spend by individual or group.
Does anyone have any ideas??
Thanks
Laurence
- Hi Laurence Arbin
You are correct: Comms credits can only be set up at a tenant level in the Microsoft 365 admin portal
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/set-up-communications-credits-for-your-organization
Microsoft recommends in the article to get call usage information by reviewing the PSTN usage details report. This report can cover the last 7 days or 28 days
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/teams-analytics-and-reports/pstn-usage-report
The call records API may also be a way to get it
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/api/resources/callrecords-api-overview?view=graph-rest-beta
This has been asked for as a uservoice for a long time: see this one here. I know Microsoft are aware of this. It would be invaluable to groups, franchises, decentralised businesses with multiple sites/locations. There isn't a great amount of momentum it seems
https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/555103-public/suggestions/35864059-split-communication-credits-between-different-depa
I'd vote on the Uservoice, get as many to do so as possible. There is also an AMA on here tomorrow (7th) for meetings and calling - ask this question there. Also, look into the PSTN report and call records API and see if they could be the basis of a report to determine the rough cost. Would be interested to hear how it goes
Hope that answers your question
Best, Chris
2 Replies
- Hi Laurence Arbin
You are correct: Comms credits can only be set up at a tenant level in the Microsoft 365 admin portal
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/set-up-communications-credits-for-your-organization
Microsoft recommends in the article to get call usage information by reviewing the PSTN usage details report. This report can cover the last 7 days or 28 days
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/teams-analytics-and-reports/pstn-usage-report
The call records API may also be a way to get it
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/api/resources/callrecords-api-overview?view=graph-rest-beta
This has been asked for as a uservoice for a long time: see this one here. I know Microsoft are aware of this. It would be invaluable to groups, franchises, decentralised businesses with multiple sites/locations. There isn't a great amount of momentum it seems
https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/555103-public/suggestions/35864059-split-communication-credits-between-different-depa
I'd vote on the Uservoice, get as many to do so as possible. There is also an AMA on here tomorrow (7th) for meetings and calling - ask this question there. Also, look into the PSTN report and call records API and see if they could be the basis of a report to determine the rough cost. Would be interested to hear how it goes
Hope that answers your question
Best, ChrisChrisHoardMVP
Hiya Chris,
Thanks for the reply. I think the situation is pretty much as I thought.The PSTN Report is probably the most helpful, but there doesn't appear to be a way to automate it:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/teams-analytics-and-reports/pstn-usage-report
Like you can with the Office365 Usage Reports:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/api/resources/report?view=graph-rest-beta
Maybe this will come with time. I've already created 'other' reports like this using data from Graph API, AzureAD, Exchange etc. which I can run on a schedule then present using PowerBI.I've had a look at the Call Records API before, but to be honest it's a bit beyond my skills to use it! Maybe I'll have another look.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/api/resources/callrecords-api-overview?view=graph-rest-beta
I'll also try the AMA (not seen that before), but I've booked tomorrow off work, at Friday is a Bank Holiday in the UK. Long weekend!
Thanks again.
Laurence
