FMC vs Microsoft Teams Phone: Do You Need Both?
Teams Phone is great at the desk. FMC is unbeatable on the move. The answer for most businesses isn't either/or — it's knowing where each technology fits.
The Short Version
Microsoft Teams Phone is a powerful platform for desk-based unified communications — video, chat, calling, and file sharing in one place. But when it comes to mobile calling for workers in the field, Teams Phone has significant limitations.
The Teams mobile app drains battery, requires a stable data connection, and — critically — most employees simply won't use it. They default to their phone's native dialler, bypassing your business phone system entirely. Calls go out on personal numbers. Call recording fails. Business caller ID disappears.
FMC solves this by routing business calls through the native dialler. IQ Mobile's SIM for Teams takes it further — connecting your FMC SIM directly to your Teams environment, so calls appear in Teams call history with full business identity, without needing the app.
3 Key Takeaways
Teams for the Desk, FMC for the Move
Teams Phone is purpose-built for desktop collaboration. FMC is purpose-built for mobile calling. Using both gives your team the right tool for each context — without forcing app adoption on reluctant mobile users.
No App, No Battery Drain, No Excuses
The Teams mobile app running in the background is the number one complaint from field workers. FMC uses the native dialler — zero battery impact, zero app management, and calls work even when data drops out.
SIM for Teams Bridges the Gap
IQ Mobile's SIM for Teams connects your native dialler calls to your Teams environment. Business caller ID, call history in Teams, and PBX routing — all without opening the Teams app on your phone.
FMC vs Teams Phone: Side-by-Side
How native dialler FMC compares to Microsoft Teams Phone for mobile calling
| Feature | FMC (Native Dialler) | Microsoft Teams Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Call Technology | Native dialler (SIM-based) | Teams app (data-based) |
| Data Connection Required | No — uses voice network | Yes — requires WiFi or mobile data |
| Battery Impact | None | Significant — app runs continuously |
| User Experience | Dial as normal — zero learning curve | Open Teams app, navigate to calls |
| Employee Adoption | Near 100% — no behaviour change | Low — less than 5% consistent use |
| Desktop Calling | Mobile only (pair with Teams for desktop) | Yes — desktop, web, and mobile app |
| Video Conferencing | No — voice calling only | Yes — built-in video and screen sharing |
| Team Messaging & Chat | No — separate tool needed | Yes — integrated chat, channels, files |
| Business Caller ID | Yes — native to SIM | Yes — via Teams configuration |
| Call Recording | Via PBX integration | Via Teams compliance recording |
| Works in Poor Signal Areas | Yes — voice needs less bandwidth | No — calls drop without data |
| PBX Integration | Direct SIM-to-PBX | Direct Routing or Operator Connect |
What Teams Phone Does Well
Desktop Calling
Click-to-call from your computer with headset
Video Conferencing
Built-in video meetings with screen sharing
Unified Collaboration
Chat, files, and calling in one platform
What Teams Phone Lacks for Mobile
No Native Dialler
Must open Teams app to make business calls
Data Dependent
Calls fail without a stable data connection
Battery Drain
Teams app running in background drains battery significantly
IQ Mobile's SIM for Teams: The Best of Both
IQ Mobile's SIM for Teams bridges the gap between FMC and Microsoft Teams. Your mobile workers use their phone's native dialler for calls, but those calls route through your Teams environment — appearing in Teams call history, using your Teams business number, and captured by Teams compliance recording.
For your IT team, it means one unified call management platform. For your mobile workers, it means making calls the way they always have — with zero behaviour change.
Native dialler calls appear in Teams
Business caller ID on every call
EE network — UK's largest coverage
From £15/month per user
When to Use Teams Phone Alone vs FMC + Teams
Teams Phone Alone Works If...
- •All staff work from desks with reliable WiFi
- •No field workers or mobile-first roles
- •Video and collaboration are priority over voice
- •You can accept that mobile calling may be unreliable
Add FMC / SIM for Teams If...
- •You have mobile workers, field teams, or remote staff
- •Teams app adoption on mobile has been poor
- •Reliable voice calling is critical for your business
- •You need compliance recording on all calls, including mobile
- •Battery life complaints from app-heavy devices
FMC & Teams: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about using FMC alongside Microsoft Teams