Microsoft Teams moves a step closer to no longer being part of Office
The Microsoft Teams battle continues
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After letting the dust settle on the offer to unbundlevideo conferencingplatfom Teams fromMicrosoft365, EU antitrust regulators are now asking rival companies if this was enough.
The move,which came into force on October 1, saw Microsoft 365 packages get €2 per month cheaper across the European Union.
Those changes weren’t reflected everywhere, though, andMicrosoft Teamsremains part of the package in the UK, which was previously a member of the EU until 2020.
Microsoft is still in trouble with Teams
People close to the matter have suggested that this new EU development could be indicative of the competition watchdog’s intention to build a statement of objections that could be sent to Microsoft early next year.
By now, the saga is more than three years old, stemming from a complaint from Slack that the unfair bundling of Teams with otheroffice appsmade it challenging for rival companies to sell their products.
Regulators have also been interested in how companies like Microsoft impose technical and financial restrictions that make it difficult to change providers. Redmond has not been alone in the crackdown on lock-ins in recent months, and companies across the world are having to address interoperability and competitive practices.
However, Microsoft has had plenty of spotlight, itself. The tech giant has faced plenty of other complaints, including unfair cloud licensing practices and the bundling of OneDrive into the Windowsoperating system.
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TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft and Slack to share their comments on the ongoing case, but neither responded immediately. Microsoft has previously directed us to its blogs when approached about the matter, adding no further comments.
ViaReuters
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With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!
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