A search for a meeting room without audio conferencing usually means one of two things: a video-first Microsoft Teams Room that does not need public switched telephone network (PSTN) dial-in, or a room where the organization wants to disable calling features it does not use.
The current Microsoft licensing model does not offer a lower-priced Teams Rooms Basic or Pro edition simply labeled “without Audio Conferencing.” Microsoft lists Audio Conferencing in both Teams Rooms Basic and Teams Rooms Pro where the service is available. Organizations can choose not to use or can disable certain features, but that does not create a separate room-license tier.
This guide explains the distinction, compares Basic and Pro, and outlines how to configure a video-first room without confusing PSTN dial-in with the microphones and speakers required for a Teams meeting.
What a meeting room without audio conferencing means
In Microsoft terminology, Audio Conferencing generally refers to dial-in and dial-out capabilities that let participants join a meeting by telephone. It does not mean the room lacks microphones, speakers, echo cancellation, or other in-room audio. A functional hybrid meeting room still needs an appropriate audio system for people in the room and remote participants.
Turning off telephone dial-in does not turn a Teams Room into a silent room.
A video-first room may be appropriate when users join through the Teams client, the organization does not publish dial-in numbers, and business continuity or accessibility requirements do not call for a telephone option. Review external-participant needs, network resilience, accessibility, emergency procedures, and organizational policy before disabling a service.
Current Teams Rooms licensing reality
Microsoft currently offers Teams Rooms Basic and Teams Rooms Pro for certified Teams Rooms systems. Its Teams Rooms licensing comparison lists Audio Conferencing in both plans, subject to country and region availability. Communication Credits or other services may still be required for certain toll-free or international scenarios.
Teams Rooms Basic is available at no additional license charge for eligible certified devices and is limited to 25 Basic licenses per organization. Teams Rooms Pro is a paid per-room license with expanded meeting, management, security, analytics, and device capabilities. Pricing and features can change, so confirm them on Microsoft’s official Teams Rooms page before purchasing.
Separate room audio from telephone dial-in
A common mistake is treating “audio conferencing” as all room audio. The room still needs microphones and speakers sized and positioned for the space. It may also need a DSP, acoustic echo cancellation, camera integration, and commissioning. This Teams meeting room audio guide explains those physical and signal-path considerations.
If the goal is to remove PSTN participation, document exactly which capabilities should be unavailable: dial-in numbers on meeting invitations, dial-out from meetings, Teams Phone calling, or a separate analog or SIP phone. These are different services and may involve different policies and licenses.
How to configure a video-first Teams Room
Use a resource account created for the room and assign a supported Teams Rooms license. Do not use a standard user license as a substitute for a shared room device. Follow Microsoft guidance for resource accounts, authentication, Conditional Access, and device enrollment.
A practical deployment sequence is:
- Confirm the exact Teams Rooms certified device and required license.
- Create or review the room resource account and calendar settings.
- Assign Teams Rooms Basic or Pro in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- Review the meeting policy, Audio Conferencing configuration, calling policy, and any phone-number assignment.
- Sign the device in using the supported room-account workflow.
- Run a video conferencing setup and acceptance test for calendar join, microphone, speaker, camera, content sharing, and guest meetings.
- Document the license, account, policy, device, firmware, and test result.
If telephone dial-in should be unavailable, have the Microsoft 365 administrator disable or remove the relevant service or policy according to the tenant design. Do not remove licenses or calling components until the team confirms which feature provides each number and calling function.
Choosing between Teams Rooms Basic and Pro
The decision should be based on room count, required meeting experiences, security, management, and support needs, not on a supposed “no audio conferencing” discount.
| Consideration | Teams Rooms Basic | Teams Rooms Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Organization limit | Up to 25 Basic licenses | No Basic-license cap; purchase terms apply |
| Core meetings | One-touch join, content sharing, and core meeting functions | Includes Basic capabilities plus expanded experiences |
| Room features | Best for straightforward certified room systems | Supports features such as dual screens, advanced layouts, and additional intelligent audio/video capabilities where supported |
| Management | Basic inventory and updates | Expanded remote configuration, health, history, alerts, analytics, and integrations |
| Security | Core room-system security | Additional identity, endpoint, and policy capabilities listed by Microsoft |
| Audio Conferencing | Included where available | Included where available |
A small huddle room with a simple workflow may fit Basic. A larger room, dual-display system, managed enterprise fleet, or room requiring advanced monitoring and security features may need Pro. Confirm each feature against the current Microsoft comparison and the selected hardware.
Pricing and purchasing
Teams Rooms Basic is currently offered at no additional charge for eligible certified systems, subject to the organizational limit and Microsoft terms. Teams Rooms Pro is a paid subscription per room. Use current official pricing rather than an old per-room figure in a planning spreadsheet.
Basic licenses are added and assigned through the Microsoft 365 admin center. Microsoft lists additional purchasing channels for Pro, including web-direct, enterprise, and partner channels. Work with procurement or the organization’s Microsoft partner when tax, term, tenant, government-cloud, nonprofit, or education requirements apply.
Match the configuration to the room
A meeting room without audio conferencing can be a reasonable video-first configuration, but it is not a separate discount edition of Teams Rooms Basic or Pro. Define whether the organization means telephone dial-in, Teams Phone, or all external calling, then align the license, tenant policy, room hardware, and acceptance test.
Mega Services can connect project teams with vetted Mega Certified technicians for device installation and AV system commissioning. License assignment and tenant policy should remain under authorized Microsoft 365 administration. Request AV labor support for your Teams Rooms rollout to coordinate the on-site work.
Mega Has The Staffing Solutions You Need For Your Next Pro AV Project.
Let MegaServices help you grow your business by providing you with the qualified personnel you need when you need them.
