On January 27, 2022, the Autorité de la concurrence took action ex officio in order to assess the current competitive situation of the cloud market booming in Europe and more particularly in France. The findings of this investigation are expected to be announced in early 2023.
The cloud market, priority of the new president of the Autorité de la concurrence
During his hearing on January 12, 2022 before the National Assembly, Benoit Cœuré, the new president of the Authority indicated that the digital sector would be one of the priorities of his mandate. He had indicated his intention to focus on ” the emergence of new essential infrastructures such as the cloud » and announced that he « It would be important and justified for the Autorité to quickly undertake in-depth work on the consequences of the cloud in all sectors in conjunction with the competent sectoral authorities “.
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By launching an investigation to analyze the conditions of competitive operation of the cloud, the Authority respects the wishes of its president. However, the institution knows that it is embarking on an ambitious and complex investigation. It recognizes the advantages of the cloud for companies, administrations or its most loyal consumers. She also admits that the public authorities are in favor of the development of this type of technology, citing the example of the national support plan for the French cloud sector where 1.8 billion euros will be invested over the next 4 years.
Cédric O, Secretary of State for Digital, presenting from the premises of OVHcloud, the national investment plan for the cloud. Image: Cedric O / Twitter.
How will this investigation take place?
As part of the survey that will be conducted throughout 2022, the Autorité wishes to offer an overall analysis of the functioning of competition in the cloud sector. Thus, an instruction team specially trained for the occasion, of lawyers, economists and data scientists, will examine the competitive dynamics of the sector and the presence of the actors on the different segments of the value chain, as well as their relations. contractual.
The challenge will be to define the various relevant cloud markets in order to identify and define the perimeter within which competition takes place between the structures operating in this sector. The Autorité also proposes to formulate proposals likely to improve the competitive functioning of the sector.
In order to carry out its investigation as well as possible, the Autorité will organize during the summer, a broad public consultation in order to gather the observations of all the stakeholders: companies, customers, consumers, etc. At the end of this vast consultation, the Autorité will analyze all the responses and send its final conclusions at the beginning of 2023. It is possible, as of now, to share your observations with the Autorité by sending an email to the following address: [email protected]