Ofcom launches market study into cloud services

 

Ofcom launches market study into cloud services

Ofcom has launched a market study into the provision of cloud services in the UK.

Cloud services are services related to the provision of remote access to computing resources (compute, storage and networking).

The main suppliers of cloud services in the UK are Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and Google (known and ‘the hyperscalers’).

Cloud services are important to businesses across the economy, especially in telecoms and broadcasting.  Ofcom wants to examine whether there is any feature of the market that could limit competition and harm consumers and intends to focus on the ‘public cloud’.  It will consider whether any feature of the market might favour the hyperscalers and make it more difficult for others to enter and expand.

Ofcom seeks comments including on whether it should make a market investigation reference to the Competition and Markets Authority, by 3 November 2022.

Ofcom expects to publish an interim report for consultation in around six months’ time.

Ofcom says that it is doing this as part of a new programme of work to ensure that digital communications markets are working well for people and businesses in the UK.

 

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-3/cloud-services-market-study