Microsoft has revealed plans to separate its Teams business messaging and video app globally from its Office suite. This decision follows last year’s separation of the two European products in response to regulatory scrutiny from competition watchdogs. Initially bundled with Office in 2017, Teams was investigated by the European Commission after Slack filed a complaint in 2020.
According to a Microsoft spokesperson, this strategic move aims to provide clear options for customers and accommodate feedback from the European Commission. The separation is intended to offer multinational corporations increased flexibility across different geographies.
In a recent blog post, Microsoft introduced Teams Standalone, priced at $5.25 for new customers. This separation’s impact on Microsoft’s compliance with European Union (EU) antitrust laws remains to be seen, as the company has previously faced €2.2 billion in fines for similar practices.
Microsoft’s history with antitrust issues dates back to a 1998 lawsuit from the US Justice Department over its Windows platform’s dominance. Since then, Microsoft has adjusted its policies, allowing more freedom for computer manufacturers in software installation and fostering competition among internet browsers.
The separation of Teams from Microsoft 365 and Office Suites in Europe last October did not significantly affect its user base, with Sensor Tower reporting stable monthly active users for the Microsoft Teams mobile app in the early months of 2024.
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