Microsoft has announced the global unbundling of Teams from its Microsoft 365 and Office 365 suites, a move that initially began in EU countries last fall. The decision, which comes after concerns over potential fines, allows customers worldwide to purchase Microsoft Teams separately.
This expansion follows Microsoft’s earlier decision to separate Teams from Microsoft 365 and Office 365 suites in the European Union and Switzerland to comply with regulations and feedback from the European Commission. According to Reuters, this move aims to provide multinational companies with more flexibility in standardizing their purchasing across different regions.
Existing users now have the option to maintain their current package or switch to the standalone offerings. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for those who prefer alternative communication services like Zoom or Google Meet while still using the Office suite.
For new commercial customers, Microsoft offers Teams as a standalone product for $5.25. Similarly, Office without Teams ranges from $7.75 to $54.75, catering to different needs and budgets.
The decision to unbundle Teams from Office suites traces back to 2020 when Slack filed an antitrust complaint with the EU. Slack, now owned by Salesforce, argued against the inclusion of Teams in the Office suite, claiming that Microsoft was restricting customers from removing the chat platform.
Following investigations by the European Commission, Microsoft announced in April 2023 its plans to separate Teams from Microsoft 365 and Office 365. While the unbundling took effect last fall, Microsoft still faces potential fines from the EU if found guilty of violating antitrust laws.
