Business Teams users can now also chat with free users

Business users of Microsoft Teams can now chat and video call with other users from outside their organization. This is also possible with users who use a personal account.

The feature will be available from Thursday, Microsoft says. Teams makes it possible for users with a paid subscription, for example within an organization, to start a conversation with users from outside that organization. Previously it was only possible to start a conversation with users within your own organization or other users with a paid subscription. Now Teams users are also added with a personal account for which they do not pay.

Users can invite others using their email address or phone number. Both paid and free users can do this. Free users can also be added to group conversations. Business subscription administrators have the option to block that option on a per-user basis. For example, they can prevent outsiders from inviting the director of an organization for an interview.