Microsoft Teams users will soon have to fork out more cash for these features (Update)
Some features from Teams will soon require a Teams Premium subscription.
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Update (January 11, 2023 at 6:46 PM):This article previously stated that features from the free version of Teams would be moved to Teams Premium. The features that are moving are from the version of Teams that comes with Microsoft 365 to Teams Premium. The piece has been corrected to reflect this fact.
What you need to know
Microsoft Teams Premium is a new service from Microsoft that will enhance the Teams experience with a range of features. Teams Premium will include options for personalizing meetings and webinars, using AI to organize communication, and protecting meetings with watermarks and other security features. The service is set to launch in early February 2023, though pricing is not confirmed at this time.
While the version of Teams that comes with Microsoft 365 will continue to be available after Teams Premium rolls out, some features will move from the Microsoft 365 version of Teams to Teams Premium (viaThe Register). There will be a 30-day grace period where these features remain available on Teams. Following that, tenants will have to have a Teams Premium add-on.
In anFAQ page about Microsoft Teams Premium, the company lists which current Teams features will move to Teams Premium:
Teams Premium has been in previewsince December 2022, allowing organizations to test it out to evaluate if it’s worth a monthly fee. Adedicated webpage from Microsoftlists all of the features and illustrates how Teams Premium compares to Teams.
Windows Central take
While I doubt any of the features that are currently set to move to Teams Premium will be deal breakers for Teams users, I hope Microsoft carefully considers which features it moves. I understand that the company wants to shift people to certain subscriptions, but I hope the current Microsoft 365 version of Teams is not gutted.
It makes sense that virtual appointment SMS notifications, custom organization Together mode scenes, and some other features will require a premium add-on. I just hope that Microsoft expands Teams Premium by adding new features rather than migrating more things over from Teams.
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At the moment, there’s no indication that Microsoft has plans to remove any more features from Teams. I hope it stays that way.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
