The UK's Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) is close to revealing its resolution for its investigation into the cloud computing industry.

As reported by CNBC and citing two anonymous sources, the CMA is expected to reveal its remedies in the next two weeks.

The remedies are expected to be "behavioral" rather than structural changes, such as requiring divestments or operational separations.

In a June working paper, some suggestions explored included price controls to restrict egress fees, reducing technical barriers to cloud switching, and banning discounts related to increased spending.

Specifically for Microsoft, it was suggested that the provider apply the same pricing for its software regardless of which cloud it is hosted on.

DCD has reached out to the CMA for confirmation.

Reports that the CMA is nearing a resolution for the investigation come just a couple of months after it extended the deadline for the investigation by four months, extending the deadline to August 4, 2025.

At the time, the reason given was that "the inquiry group considers that completion of its investigation and the publication of its final report will not be possible within the original reference period."

Earlier this week, the CMA resolved a separate inquiry exploring Google's investment in Anthropic. The CMA concluded that no follow-up investigation was necessary.

CISPE launches European Cloud Competition Observatory

This week, CISPE - Cloud Infrastructure Service Providers in Europe - launched a European Cloud Competition Observatory (ECCO) as part of its settlement with Microsoft regarding similar anti-competition concerns as investigated by the cMA.

ECCO, while managed by CISPE, will operate under an "independent governance structure" and will focus on Microsoft's adherence to its July 2024 commitments as well as monitoring licensing practices by other cloud providers.

CISPE and Microsoft settled their dispute earlier this year, with Microsoft agreeing to pay €20 million ($21.7m) and agreeing to develop a product - Azure Stack HCI for European cloud providers (Hosters) - that enables CISPE's members to run Microsoft software on their platforms at equivalent prices to Microsoft's.

Plans for ECCO were also announced at the time.

European customer organizations, such as the Cigref association in France and Beltug in Belgium, will act as observers of ECCO. The organization will release its first progress report after a December technical summit, with follow-ups planned in February and April.

Beyond Microsoft, ECCO is particularly interested in Broadcom/VMWare, citing that the companies' practices "restrict cloud choices for European customers."

Henri d’Agrain, general delegate of Cigref, said: “ECCO aligns with our commitment to fair software licensing and amplifies the voice of European customers.”

Danielle Jacobs, CEO of Beltug, added: “Unfair licensing practices limit choice and increase costs for cloud customers. ECCO's work is essential to help deliver a fair cloud software licensing environment in Europe.”