Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 20 FEBRUARY 2025

Cloud Services: What's The CMA's Provisional Verdict And Why Does It Matter?

Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Contributor
Travers Smith LLP

Travers Smith LLP

It is not just law at Travers Smith. We treat our clients’ business as our business, their dispute...

View firm profile
Explore more from Travers Smith LLP

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published the provisional decision in its cloud services market investigation.

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
James Longster
James Longster
Helen Reddish
Helen Reddish
Laura Reuther
Laura Reuther
Nigel Seay
Nigel Seay
Stephen Whitfield
Stephen Whitfield
Author LinkedIn connections

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published the provisional decision in its cloud services market investigation. It provisionally recommends that the cloud service activities of the two largest players, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, should be investigated using the CMA's new powers to regulate Big Tech under the UK's Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.

Why is the CMA recommending intervention?

As explained in our earlier briefing, the CMA is concerned that competition in the market for cloud services is not working as well as it could be. Its key provisional conclusions are as follows:

  • both Amazon Web Services and Microsoft have significant market power, making it harder for alternative suppliers to enter the market or win customers and reducing customers' choice of providers; and

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Broadcom/VMware: EU General Court Again Weighs In Favour Of Commission’s Broad Information Gathering Powers

The European Commission's broad information-gathering powers under EU competition law have been reinforced by the General Court's dismissal of Broadcom's challenge to document production requests. The case raises critical questions about the extent to which the Commission can compel production of documents held overseas that are subject to legal professional privilege in other jurisdictions, particularly communications with non-EU qualified external counsel.
European UnionAntitrust/Competition Law
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

UK Competition And Markets Authority Publishes Final Revised Merger Efficiencies Guidance

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has published revised guidance on assessing merger efficiencies, marking a significant shift toward greater receptivity to efficiency-based arguments in merger reviews. The new provisions introduce more flexible evidentiary standards, recognize the potential role of behavioral remedies in securing efficiencies, and encourage parties to advance efficiency claims earlier in the review process without implying acceptance of competitive concerns.
United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Article

A Precedent For The Platform Age: The Booking/eTraveli Judgment And Its Implications For Digital M&A

The European General Court has upheld the Commission's prohibition of Booking's acquisition of eTraveli Group, endorsing a novel 'ecosystem' theory of harm that allows intervention even where market share increases are minimal. This landmark ruling significantly expands the Commission's ability to challenge acquisitions by dominant firms in digital markets, establishing that transactions which merely perpetuate existing low levels of competition can constitute significant impediments to effective
United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Slaughter and May
Slaughter and May
Article

Few Surprises, As The CMA Finalises Its Revised Approach To Merger Efficiencies

The UK Competition and Markets Authority has formalised its new approach to assessing efficiency arguments in merger control cases, marking a significant shift toward a more holistic evaluation framework. This updated guidance, which emerged from the CMA's 4Ps initiative, introduces the concept of Rivalry-Enhancing Efficiencies and establishes clearer pathways for merging parties to demonstrate competitive benefits.
United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

UK FCA Accepts Novel Commitments Package To Resolve Antitrust Investigation Into Commodity Futures Traders

The UK Financial Conduct Authority has accepted binding commitments from 11 day traders following an investigation into suspected exchange of competitively sensitive information and coordination of trading strategies in commodity futures markets. The decision highlights critical compliance priorities for firms operating trading arcades and shared trading infrastructure, while leaving key legal questions deliberately unanswered. What does this enforcement action signal about the FCA's approach to antitrust e
GlobalAntitrust/Competition Law
A&O Shearman
A&O Shearman
Article

Budget Tracker (2026)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer faces the formidable challenge of delivering his first Budget amid economic headwinds, geopolitical instability, and a wave of ambitious government promises. With GDP growth forecast at just 1.1%, inflation at 3.4%, and public sector net borrowing exceeding £115 billion, can he balance fiscal responsibility with pledges to avoid raising Income Tax, National Insurance, or VAT while funding increased defence spending and social care reforms?
United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

The EU Cyber Resilience Act's Vulnerability And Incident Reporting Requirements Are Now Live

The EU Cyber Resilience Act introduces mandatory vulnerability and incident reporting requirements for manufacturers of products with digital elements, effective September 2026. With tight 24-hour deadlines for initial reports and penalties reaching €15 million or 2.5% of global turnover, manufacturers must establish robust incident response procedures immediately.
United KingdomTechnology
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

Nearly Out Of PERG-atory – But Not Quite Yet: Good News As The FCA Finalises PERG 18 On Cryptoassets, But With Even More Legal Changes To Come

Cryptoasset firms face a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape as the FCA's authorisation gateway opens on 30 September 2026. With the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 laid before Parliament and the FCA's finalised PERG 18 guidance published within 24 hours, firms must navigate significant perimeter changes including new stablecoin payment exclusions.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

SFDR 2.0 – European Parliament Negotiating Position: The Stage Is Set For Trilogue

The European Parliament has published its negotiating position on SFDR 2.0, setting the stage for trilogue negotiations between the Commission, Parliament and Council. With the asset management industry hoping for relief from the complexities of SFDR 1.0, the Parliament's proposals claim to simplify the regime while maintaining credibility of sustainability-related investments.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

What The UK's Tough New Rules On Late Payment Mean For Your Business

The UK Government is implementing sweeping reforms to late payment laws that will fundamentally change how businesses manage supplier payments. These changes include substantial fines for persistent late payers, mandatory statutory interest rates, and a prohibition on payment terms exceeding 60 days. With enforcement powers granted to the Small Business Commissioner and a new binding adjudication system...
United KingdomCorporate/Commercial Law
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

The Cyber Security And Resilience Bill: A New Era For Data Centre Regulation

The UK faces an average of four nationally significant cyber attacks per week, yet data centres—the backbone of the digital economy—have remained outside regulatory scope until now. The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will fundamentally change this landscape, introducing mandatory incident reporting within 24 hours, substantial penalties for non-compliance, and a new regulatory framework overseen by Ofcom that applies to facilities exceeding specific power thresholds.
United KingdomTechnology
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP