Subj : Microsoft will have to sell Teams separately from the rest of 365
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Mon Sep 08 2025 12:30:10

Microsoft will have to sell Teams separately from the rest of 365, or face a 
huge fine

Date:
Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:27:00 +0000

Description:
Microsoft is close to a deal with the EU to sell Teams separately and improve 
interoperability.

FULL STORY
======================================================================Microsof
t removes Teams for 2 discount, option to add it on for 5 More must be done 
to improve software interoperability Rivals and customers seem happy with the 
solution 

Microsoft is set to avoid a large antitrust fine after the European Union 
accepted its offer to unbundle video conferencing platform Teams from Office 
- which means Teams will now have to be sold separately from the Office 365 
and Microsoft 365 licenses. 

The conditions stipulate Microsoft must sell Teams-less packages for less to 
reflect the removal of its online collaboration software. 

Microsoft must also do more to improve the interoperability of its software 
with rivals in a bid to prevent vendor lock-in. Microsoft is set to unbundle 
Teams following European battle 

The impending agreement comes after a years-long battle in Europe  the case 
stems from a 2020 complaint from Slack . Despite Europes efforts to reach 
agreements rather than issue fines, they havent come without their fair share 
of scrutiny. 

The White House has already criticized Europes alleged control over American 
tech firms. 

 Bloomberg notes that rivals and customers have raised no major concerns 
following the proposal to unbundle Teams from the rest of the Microsoft 
package, suggesting this could be the final step required to write off the 
complaint. 

Earlier on during the complaints timeline, we already saw Microsoft and its 
rivals open up some of the red tape to improve interoperability between their 
platforms. 

One year ago, Microsoft President Brad Smith noted: On Teams, we have done a 
lot of work, our work isn't yet done. Microsoft is committed to find a 
resolution to regulators' concerns. 

Smith also admitted Microsoft expected to have to take additional steps to 
appease regulators. 

Microsoft shared details of its Teams-less pricing in 2023, confirming the 
packages would cost 2/month or 24/year less in the EEA and Switzerland. 
However, Teams would be available as a standalone package for 5/month or 
60/year, resulting in a higher overall cost and rendering Europes ruling 
largely ineffective. 

 TechRadar Pro reached out to the European Commission and Microsoft for 
further clarification about the steps forward and details on pricing, but we 
did not receive an immediate response. You might also like "We're done" - 
major government organization slams Microsoft Teams as it drops Windows for 
good Cut the costs with the best free office software Weve listed the best 
productivity tools



======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/microsoft-will-have-to-sell-teams-separately-fro
m-the-rest-of-365-or-face-a-huge-fine


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