UK CMA announces plan for strategic market status probe into Microsoft software

The UK Competition and Markets Authority said it will open a strategic market status investigation into Microsoft's business software ecosystem, starting in May 2026. It said the probe could address Microsoft's software licensing, which it links to lower competition in cloud, and named Windows, Word, Excel, Teams and Copilot as examples. An SMS investigation can take up to nine months before a provisional view, and the CMA said Microsoft and Amazon had set out actions on cloud egress fees and interoperability.

• SMS investigation to commence in May 2026
• Up to nine months, with a provisional view before any final decision
• Cloud licensing a focus; Windows, Word, Excel, Teams and Copilot named
• Microsoft and Amazon offered actions on egress fees and interoperability