Microsoft removing Business Voice (aka Teams phones with calling plan) from benefits program

[AlexB]

Hello everyone. I believe some of you may have noticed that since Microsoft started moving the partner programme to the partner designation, we no longer get Microsoft business voice or team phones with calling plan as part of the benefits related to the legacy silver or gold partner membership which now have transitioned to the new Partner designation.

The programme has changed a bit, and we no longer get Microsoft teams phones and calling plans as we used to. Microsoft didn't send any communication about removing those benefits or explaining alternative methods to cope with this change which I find a bit upsetting.

I'm wondering if there are other partners like ourselves that are finding days a bit odd. I think it's quite important we get team phones licences as this has been one of the ways for us to utilise the service and prove to our customers it is a good solution going forward as we keep using it ourselves, and improving our sales pitch about these products.

Any thoughts on this? Are there other partners a bit annoyed by these changes?

[#2]

@AlexB yes I am just finding this out myself and am not happy about it.  No notice or mention and just found out our licenses expire in 2 days.

[#3]

what is your plan @Shawn Akins ? I'm thinking about getting regular calling plan as we will get M365 E5, but look into implement direct routing for us asap to replace the microsoft calling plan. Our will expire next week.

[#4]

 @AlexB something to be aware of we have discovered. If you get your licenses via a CSP then Microsoft is clamping down randomly on resellers buying licenses for their own tenant via a CSP. Makes no sense to me but they seem to want you to pay full price from Microsoft directly.