EU forces Microsoft to unbundle Teams in Office 365

After years of negotiations, the EU Commission has obliged Microsoft to offer Office packages without Teams in the future. This is Brussels' response to concerns that Microsoft is exploiting its dominant market position to disadvantage competitors in the market for video conferencing and collaboration software. The decision sends a clear signal: fair competition and genuine freedom of choice are essential if Europe wants to secure its digital sovereignty.

Competition instead of lock-in

For many companies, the integration of Teams into Microsoft 365 was a mandatory package. Those who did not want to use the software still had to pay for it, while alternative providers found it difficult to establish their solutions. This is precisely where the EU comes in: Unbundling creates transparency and opens up the market for alternative solutions that prioritize security, data protection, and independence. This opens up a larger playing field for organizations looking for a Microsoft Teams alternative.

New rules for Microsoft

As heise reports, Microsoft will have to offer Office packages in the European Economic Area at significantly lower prices, without Teams. Existing customers will have more flexibility when switching between packages. At the same time, the company is committing to improving interoperability: competing solutions such as Slack, Zoom, Webex – and also OpenTalk – should be able to work seamlessly with Microsoft products such as Outlook, Word, and Excel. These requirements will apply for seven to ten years and will be monitored by an independent trustee. In this way, the EU is strengthening the basis for an open market for video conferencing solutions in Europe.

Opportunity for greater digital sovereignty

For companies and administrations, the decision means that they can once again freely choose the communication solution that best suits their requirements. The lock-in effect caused by bundling is weakened, while open interfaces facilitate the use of different systems.

OpenTalk as a European alternative

This is exactly where OpenTalk comes in: as a secure, fully transparent open source video conferencing solution from Europe. We develop technologies that promote independence, preserve data sovereignty, and put control back in the hands of users. The unbundling enforced by the EU underscores the importance of relying on solutions that are not tied to proprietary ecosystems. With OpenTalk, organizations retain the freedom to design their own communication infrastructure – flexible, interoperable, and sovereign.

Conclusion

The EU's decision is more than just an antitrust measure: it is a commitment to freedom of choice, competition, and digital self-determination in Europe. This gives companies and administrations the opportunity to design their communications independently and securely – with real alternatives to proprietary offerings.

OpenTalk supports you in this endeavor with a modern, secure, and open-source video conferencing solution—available as SaaS or on-premises.

Experience how digital sovereignty strengthens your communications—try OpenTalk now.