The Competition and Markets Authority has examined Britain’s cloud industry and discovered the exciting possibility that customers might want to leave. Microsoft and Amazon have set out steps on interoperability and cloud egress fees, while the CMA prepares to investigate Microsoft’s wider business software ecosystem. The server rack has welcomed the news, then checked whether its files are legally allowed to pack a bag.
The authority says it wants UK businesses and public bodies to enjoy competitive prices, greater choice and a more resilient digital economy. This is an admirable ambition, particularly in an industry where choice can mean selecting which monthly bill contains the least comprehensible surprise.
The CMA’s strategic market status investigation is due to begin in May. It will examine Microsoft’s business software ecosystem, including the way Windows, Word, Excel, Teams and Copilot fit into the wider market. The investigation follows concerns about licensing practices and their effect on competition in cloud services.
That makes interoperability rather important. In ordinary language, it means different systems working together without behaving like rival departments forced to share a kettle. The CMA says Microsoft and Amazon have set out actions intended to reduce the expense and effort involved in using more than one cloud provider. Customers may now be able to use several providers, switch and compare services without first establishing a small legal firm in the stationery cupboard.
Cloud egress fees are the costs customers can face when moving data out of a cloud service. They are not quite a padlock on the door, but they do give the door an unusually persuasive invoice. The CMA will continue engaging with the companies and review progress in six months, which is a reassuring timetable for anyone whose data has already packed a bag and is waiting for permission to leave.
The authority describes the moment as pivotal because AI is being embedded into everyday business software. Organisations may soon receive automated assistance with choosing software, managing software and explaining why the software cannot be moved to another provider without a meeting attended by the software.
The CMA says further steps are needed to help customers switch and use multiple providers. Until then, Britain’s digital economy remains free to choose from several clouds, provided it can identify which one has the exit, locate the form for using it and obtain approval from the system that sold it the map.
Source: GOV.UK.
