Microsoft will release a standalone version of its Teams video conferencing software worldwide.
Microsoft separated Teams from Office 365 for European customers only last year after the European Commission launched an investigation into the tech giant for possible antitrust violations. Workplace Messaging His platform, Slack, first filed a complaint in 2020 alleging that Microsoft’s bundling of Teams and 365 violated antitrust laws and asked European authorities to investigate. I did. According to Reuters, anyone around the world will now be able to purchase Teams without purchasing a bundle.
“We are extending the steps we took last year to unbundle Teams from Microsoft 365 and Office 365 in the European Economic Area and Switzerland to our customers around the world,” a Microsoft representative told Reuters. “This will give multinational companies more flexibility when they want to standardize their purchasing across regions, and will also allow us to respond to feedback from the European Commission.”
A free version of Microsoft Teams exists, but its functionality is limited. Meeting time is limited to his 1 hour, participants are limited to his 100 people, and recording, breakout rooms, and other advanced features are not enabled. Microsoft 365 Family currently costs $100 per year in the US and provides up to 30 hours for one meeting and 300 participants.
According to Microsoft’s website, only a business license for Microsoft Teams can unlock advanced features of the software, such as certain background options, joining as an avatar, recording, and screen sharing controls. Business plans range from $6 to $22 per person per month. Considering it includes many other apps and features, a standalone Teams subscription can cost less than Microsoft’s software bundle.
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Big tech companies considered “gatekeepers” in the EU typically make concessions to European customers only when forced to by law (for example, on Meta, which enables messaging interoperability), but Microsoft is separated from its larger bundles is an example of how Europe’s new technology regulations will be applied. It can have a global impact.
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