Broadcom denied names of cloud providers backing VMware merger challenge

The EU General Court has allowed European cloud trade association CISPE to keep confidential the identities of members supporting its legal challenge to the European Commission’s approval of Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware. The ruling clears a procedural hurdle so the case can proceed, but it does not decide whether the Commission’s approval was lawful.

CISPE says the Commission failed to address risks to European cloud providers and their customers. It represents 48 providers and says fewer than 20 European providers remain authorised to offer VMware-based services, compared with more than 1,000 previously. The article also cites AT&T’s claim that Broadcom proposed a 1,050 per cent price increase, and says nine in ten surveyed VMware customers were considering alternatives; CISPE is seeking to have the Commission’s unconditional clearance annulled.