The UK’s cloud computing landscape is heating up as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launches a deeper investigation into the business practices of Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. This scrutiny, though not entirely unexpected, targets the market leaders, who are now shifting blame onto each other.
Key Issues: Licensing Practices and Egress Fees
Concerns about licensing practices and egress fees are at the core of the CMA’s probe. These have long made it difficult for businesses to switch cloud providers, citing technical complexities and higher costs as barriers.
Many customers have expressed frustrations, claiming that migrating processes from one provider to another is both costly and technically intricate, effectively locking them into their current cloud provider. The CMA seeks to determine whether these companies unfairly use their market power to create such difficulties.
Google vs Microsoft: The Cloud Competition Heats Up
Google, positioning itself as the underdog in this battle, points out its relatively small share of the UK cloud market—holding just 5-10%—while AWS and Microsoft dominate with 60-70%. Google has criticized Microsoft’s licensing policies, which allow organizations to reuse Microsoft software on Azure, but require new licenses for competitors’ platforms like Google Cloud.
Microsoft, on the other hand, seems less concerned about the CMA’s investigation. The company asserts that the cloud market is “highly dynamic and rapidly evolving,” and downplays the importance of egress fees—charges incurred when transferring data between cloud providers. However, Microsoft, along with Google and AWS, has introduced egress fee discounts in response to European regulations.
AWS Aligns with Google’s Criticism, but Defends Egress Fees
AWS, the largest cloud provider globally, has also criticized Microsoft’s licensing practices, echoing Google’s stance. Despite this, AWS argues that eliminating egress fees could jeopardize future investments in cloud infrastructure.
While these cloud giants differ in their approaches, they share a common goal: avoiding heavy regulatory intervention from the UK government. Together, they control roughly two-thirds of the UK cloud market, raising concerns about monopolistic behavior.
What’s Next? The CMA’s Anticipated Ruling
The CMA’s investigation is ongoing, and closely watched by customers, competitors, and industry analysts. A provisional decision is expected in the coming months, with the final ruling set for April 2025. In the meantime, the cloud providers continue their strategic blame-shifting.
Final Thoughts: A Pivotal Moment for the UK Cloud Market
The CMA’s ruling could reshape the UK’s cloud market and set a global precedent for cloud regulations. Many customers are hoping for more flexible and fair licensing policies and reduced egress fees. The forthcoming decision may compel cloud providers to offer better deals and more choices for businesses.
Watch this space as the cloud competition intensifies!