Microsoft is unlocking the "Full Potential" of Private Channels in Microsoft Teams: What You Need to Know

on
It has been a while since I posted something just about a Microsoft Teams update, as a lot have been Copilot in Teams to be honest. But here is a real Microsoft Teams update I think is worth knowing about, and it involves Security and Compliance as well. Microsoft is rolling out a "major" update to private channels in Teams, starting in late September 2025 and continuing through mid-December. This biggest change in this update is a shift in how private channel data is stored from individual user mailboxes to a dedicated channel mailbox. Not only will this simplifie compliance management, it will also and align private channels with shared channels, making governance and experience more consistent across Teams. This update promises to increase the support up to 1000 channels per team and 5000 members per channel, removing previous limitations. Teams will also allow meetings to be scheduled directly within private channels, enhancing collaboration.  For organizations using Micr...

Advanced Communications add-on for Microsoft Teams

on

The Advanced Communications add-on was recently released for Microsoft Teams. This is a set of features you don't get with your regular E3 or E5 licenses. 

So what do you get for $12 per user (have in mind, only organizers of meeting need these licenses in order to use them).

Upon release:

  • Live events support for up to 20,000 participants, 50 concurrent events, event duration of 16 hours per broadcast.
  • Compliance recording integration (ISV)
  • Contact Center solution integration (ISV)

Coming later, but obviously in the works:

  • Interactive Teams meetings for up to 1,000 participants
  • Interactive Teams meetings for 1,000 participants with the capability to enable up to 20,000 in a view-only meeting experience
  • Custom branded meeting lobby
This last item, has also been announced in the Admin Center. The ability to add companywide, custom logos that will display in the pre-join screen and the lobby. Listed as Roadmap ID 67113

You can read more about the advanced licenses in the Teams documentation