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UK CMA proposes designating Microsoft with strategic market status in business software

The Competition and Markets Authority opened consultation through 13 November on designating Microsoft's enterprise software ecosystem under the DMCC Act, ahead of a final decision in January.

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Sources: 1 · top grade 1How evidence is graded

UK regulator proposes strategic market status for Microsoft business software

Grade 1 · Primary

Source: UK Competition and Markets Authority

What changed
The UK Competition and Markets Authority proposed designating Microsoft with Strategic Market Status in business software under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
Who it affects
Microsoft Corporation and enterprise software buyers, cloud competitors, and software vendors operating in the United Kingdom.
What it does not tell you
The proposed decision does not impose binding conduct requirements or licensing remedies today; enforceable obligations follow a final designation decision in January 2027.

The full story Check the source

The UK Competition and Markets Authority published a proposed decision on 16 October 2026 to designate Microsoft Corporation as having Strategic Market Status in its business software ecosystem [1].

The proposed designation, issued under Part 1 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, opens a formal consultation period running through 13 November 2026 [1]. Microsoft confirmed to the regulator that it will waive non-disclosure agreements for enterprise customers and competitors submitting consultation evidence [1].

An indicative roadmap outlines potential interventions targeting software licensing terms, cloud bundling, and interoperability barriers ahead of a statutory final decision milestone in January 2027 [1].

What it covers

The regulatory status of Microsoft Corporation and its business software ecosystem in the United Kingdom, including enterprise productivity suites, operating systems, and cloud infrastructure integration [1].

What it does not tell you

The notice does not impose legally binding conduct requirements today, which take effect only if the regulator confirms the designation in January 2027 and subsequently issues formal behavioral orders [1].

Sources and their grades

  1. UK Competition and Markets Authority, Microsoft's business software ecosystem: Proposed decision and consultation. Read 16 October 2026. Grade 1 · Primary Proposed decision and roadmap of possible interventions published 16 October 2026 under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

A grade says how much weight a source will take, from 1 (a body that can compel an answer and has nothing to sell) to 5 (somebody describing what they sell, or themselves). The standard sets out what each grade may be used for.

Filed under Competition Regulation UK

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