Microsoft has decided to unbundle its Teams collaboration software from its Microsoft 365 and Office 365 suites in European markets. This decision comes after the European Commission initiated a formal antitrust investigation into Microsoft's bundling of Teams with the Office productivity suite. The move is seen as a proactive step to address regulatory concerns.
Starting from October 1, enterprise customers in the European Economic Area will have the option to purchase Microsoft 365 or Office 365 subscriptions without Teams at a reduced price. Alternatively, they can acquire Teams as a standalone product for €5 per month or €60 per year. This change only affects new subscribers, as existing enterprise customers can continue with their current plans or opt for the "without Teams" options.
For small businesses and frontline worker plans, Microsoft will maintain the bundling of Teams with its software suite. However, it will also offer these customers a version without Teams at a lower price, varying depending on the product and country.
The decision to unbundle Teams from Office comes after rival company Slack filed an antitrust complaint against Microsoft in 2020, alleging that Microsoft was "illegally tying" Teams to Office. Microsoft's move is an effort to address the concerns raised by European regulators and maintain a competitive edge in the market.