Microsoft settles cloud complaint for $22M to avoid EU antitrust probe

The power in the hands of a few will drive business models, which will be more favorable to them and in many cases different across geographies, pointed out Neil Shah, VP for research and partner at Counterpoint Research. “However, those service providers dependent on these players might find the value proposition or pricing for the offering unfair and discriminatory.”

This complaint and settlement would help in level-playing the field regarding licensing, pricing, and value proposition, noted Shah.

It’s now clear for all to see that the hyperscalers cannot self-regulate, said Boost. He feels to build a truly competitive cloud landscape, “we need fundamental changes made in how this market operates.”

“Hyperscalers have operated unchecked for too long, with customers left with under-par technology, opaque pricing, and unpredictable billing. Many companies simply feel trapped into using hyperscalers, with services actively structured to disincentivize moving to an alternative provider,” added Boost.

A request for comment from AWS, Microsoft, and CISPE remained unanswered.