Test: Azure Speech Service Not Available in Foundry Tools

1. Azure Speech might not appear as an available tool in Foundry when:
   • The Foundry resource is created in a region that does not support Azure Speech in Foundry Tools or MCP tools. In that case, the Azure Speech MCP Server will not show in the tool catalog.
   • The scenario or tenant does not support the Speech MCP tool. In this case, the tool is simply not listed in the catalog.
2. Azure Speech does require specific regions and configurations to work with Foundry:
   • A Microsoft Foundry resource must be created in a supported region for Speech. Speech capabilities in Foundry Tools follow the Speech service supported regions.
   • The Speech MCP Server is only available in regions where Foundry Agent Service supports MCP tools. Regional availability for Foundry features, including Speech capabilities and Agent Service, is documented under Foundry feature availability.
   • The Speech MCP tool does not support Network-secured Microsoft Foundry. If the Foundry resource is network-secured, the Speech tool will not be usable.
3. To properly connect or enable Speech services within Foundry:
   1. Verify prerequisites:
      • Ensure there is an active Azure subscription.
      • Create a Microsoft Foundry resource in a supported Speech region.
      • Ensure an Azure Storage account exists with at least one blob container for audio input/output, and that the account has the Storage Blob Data Contributor role so SAS URLs can be created.
   2. Create or open an agent in Foundry:
      • Go to Microsoft Foundry → Build → Agents → Create agent (or open an existing agent).
   3. Add the Azure Speech tool:
      • Open the agent playground.
      • Under Tools, select Add → Add a new tool.
      • In Select a tool, choose the Catalog tab.
      • Search for Azure Speech MCP Server, select it, then select Create.
      • If the tool does not appear here, confirm the Foundry resource is in a supported region for Speech and MCP tools.
   4. Configure the tool:
      • Parameters → foundry-resource-name: Enter the name of the Foundry resource created in the prerequisites.
      • Authorization → Bearer (API Key): Use KEY1 or KEY2 from the Foundry resource Keys and Endpoint page.
      • Authorization → X-Blob-Container-Url: Generate a container SAS URL with read and write permissions and a valid expiry time, and paste it here.
   5. Connect and validate:
      • Select Connect to add the remote Speech MCP server as a tool.
      • After a successful connection, the Speech tool appears in the agent’s Tools list with a connected status.

If connection fails or audio links do not work:

• Recopy the API key (KEY1 or KEY2) from the Foundry resource if authorization errors occur.
• Regenerate the container SAS URL with correct permissions and expiry if speech output audio links fail.
• Regenerate the file SAS URL if speech-to-text cannot access the audio file.

References:

• Connect Azure Speech in Foundry Tools to an agent
• What is Azure Speech?
• Microsoft Foundry feature availability across cloud regions
• Known issues - Microsoft Foundry
• Connect Azure Communication Services with Foundry Tools