Why a structured operating model can make more economic sense

Many companies rely on calling plans when introducing Teams telephony.
Activation is straightforward, billing is transparent and the solution seems convenient at first glance.

However, one crucial aspect is often overlooked:

With Calling Plans, the choice of provider is effectively fixed - and existing, often cheaper carrier contracts remain unused.

The hidden cost factor: provider connection

Numerous medium-sized companies already have

• long-term carrier contracts
• volume-based conditions
• cross-location framework agreements
• individual routing structures

These conditions are often more favourable than standardized calling plans.

However, if a switch is made to a pure license model, double effects arise:

• existing contract benefits are not utilized
• Calling costs increase as the number of users grows
• International locations lose tariff optimizations
• Flexibility in provider selection is lost

Telephony becomes more convenient - but not necessarily more economical.

Live Premium Services: Provider remains, governance is added

AudioCodes Live Premium Services take a different approach.

Instead of relicensing telephony, the existing carrier infrastructure continues to be used - for example via direct routing - and is operated professionally at the same time.

This means

• Retention of existing provider contracts
• Use of individual tariffs and volume models
• Flexible adaptation to location growth
• No artificial commitment to a rigid license model

At the same time, Live Premium creates a structured operating model with monitoring, SLA transparency and clear responsibilities.

Cost-effectiveness comes from the architecture, not the license

Calling plans seem calculable because they are billed per user.
However, the running costs increase linearly as the number of users increases.

When using the existing provider, on the other hand, tariff models often remain volume-optimized - especially for

• international connections
• high call volumes
• multi-location structures
• industry-specific special conditions

The difference adds up considerably over the years.

Live Premium Services ensure that this flexible architecture is not operated in an uncontrolled manner, but is professionally monitored and controlled.

Technical and economic advantages at a glance

Live Premium Services creates a combination of:

• Provider independence
• Cost-optimized carrier usage
• Proactive monitoring
• Structured incident and problem handling
• KPI and SLA reporting
• Scalable architecture

Telephony remains flexible - but becomes controllable at the same time.

When this approach makes particular sense

A provider-independent operating model is particularly worthwhile if:

• attractive carrier contracts already exist
• several locations or countries are connected
• there are high call volumes
• future growth is planned
• management expects transparency and cost control

This flexibility offers considerable savings potential, especially for SMEs with existing telecommunications contracts.

Conclusion

Calling plans are simple.
Flexibility is more economical.

Those who give up existing provider conditions often pay more in the long term - not only financially, but also strategically.

AudioCodes Live Premium Services make it possible to retain existing carrier structures and at the same time establish a professional, controllable operating model.

It is not the license model that determines profitability.
It is the combination of flexible architecture and structured governance.