European Cloud Providers File Antitrust Complaint Against Broadcom

A coalition of European cloud service providers has filed an antitrust complaint with the European Commission, urging regulators to compel Broadcom to reinstate VMware's legacy partner program amid concerns over post-acquisition changes that have disrupted the industry.

The complaint, submitted by the Cloud Infrastructure Service Providers in Europe (CISPE) and supported by other industry groups, targets Broadcom's decision to terminate VMware's Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) program in Europe. The program, which allowed hundreds of providers to resell and integrate VMware virtualization software into their offerings, officially closed in January, with all remaining transactions required to conclude by March 31. CISPE, representing nearly 50 members including small and midsized firms, described the move as an existential threat to European businesses reliant on VMware technology.

Broadcom completed its $69 billion acquisition of VMware in October 2023. Shortly after, the company ended VMware's perpetual licensing model, transitioning customers to subscription-based bundles that include products many do not need. It also imposed significant price increases, with reports indicating...