EU Commission Decision Brings Fairer Market Conditions for All Providers
Karlsruhe – In a significant move towards promoting competition and innovation in the market for collaboration and video conferencing solutions, the European Commission has made Microsoft’s proposed commitments in the Teams I (AT.40721) and Teams II (AT.40873) proceedings binding. This decision was welcomed by alfaview GmbH, the sole European complainant in the proceedings, as a significant step towards greater freedom of choice and innovation in the market.
The proceedings were initiated due to the inclusion of Microsoft Teams in the Office suites. As the sole European complainant, alfaview GmbH, which has its own video conferencing solution in direct competition with Teams, played a vital role in the discussions with the Commission and Microsoft, providing technical expertise and market experience. This contribution was instrumental in reaching a solution that creates more freedom of choice, innovation, and fair conditions for all market participants in Europe. In preparation for this binding agreement, alfaview GmbH withdrew its complaint to the EU Commission a few weeks ago.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the EU Commission for its commitment to enforcing competition law in the European Union. We welcome the fact that Microsoft approached the Commission with constructive proposals to resolve the conflict, and are pleased that alfaview GmbH was able to contribute to a solution through close dialogue with the EU Commission and numerous intensive discussions with Microsoft. This decision will strengthen Europe’s digital competitiveness and send an essential signal for Europe’s digital sovereignty. Fair market conditions not only promote technological diversity but also secure the long-term innovative strength of the European market.”
– Niko Fostiropoulos, founder and CEO of alfaview GmbH.
The most important commitments at a glance are as follows:
– Office without Teams: Microsoft will offer versions of Office 365 and Microsoft 365 in the European Economic Area without Teams, with price differences depending on the package. Discounts will apply equally to both versions in the future.
– Change options: Customers can easily switch from an Office version with Teams to a version without Teams at any time and use it worldwide.
– Interoperability and integration: Competitors will have access to Microsoft services and APIs to integrate their solutions into core applications such as Outlook, Calendar, or OneDrive. In addition, an SDK will be provided, allowing Office web applications to be embedded in their own products.
– Data portability: EEA customers can export their Teams messaging data in full and reuse it in competing solutions.
– Duration and control: Office suites without Teams will have to be offered for seven years, and interoperability and data portability commitments for ten years. An independent trustee will monitor implementation.
“Today’s decision is a milestone in European competition law. It demonstrates how fair competition can be ensured even in highly dynamic and technically complex markets through clear and practical rules. This decision makes it clear that European competition law can effectively respond to new digital challenges. For alfaview GmbH, a change in practice was always more important than a fine.”
– Prof. Dr. Thomas Höppner, Legal Counsel at alfaview GmbH and partner at Geradin Partners.
alfaview GmbH is convinced that the new framework conditions will enable greater product diversity and sustainable innovation in Europe in the long term. Through its early and consistent involvement in the process, alfaview GmbH has contributed to implementing this solution together with all parties involved. This opens up new opportunities for the European video conferencing platform alfaview to position itself globally on the market and at the same time demonstrate that GDPR-compliant and secure communication based on fair competitive conditions is feasible.
About alfaview GmbH
alfaview GmbH is video conferencing software developed in 2010 by alfatraining Bildungszentrum GmbH (digital training) for training courses and corporate communications. Today, it is operated as SaaS by alfaview GmbH, a pioneer in the field of GDPR-compliant video conferencing software, based in Karlsruhe. With alfaview, participants can communicate in real-time via video and audio, from team meetings to large virtual and hybrid events. All data is transmitted exclusively via ISO 27001-certified data centers in Germany and the EU. Video and audio streams are encrypted following BSI recommendations and are not stored. Several data protection authorities have confirmed that the solution is fully compliant with data protection regulations.
alfaview GmbH is part of the alfacube group of companies, which also includes alfatraining Bildungszentrum GmbH, alfaATC Communications GmbH (AI-based speech recognition for air traffic control), EML Speech Technology GmbH (AI-based speech technologies), and Semanux GmbH (AI-based accessible input systems). The founder and managing director of the group are Niko Fostiropoulos. LinkedIn
– A picture is available at AP –
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