This scrutiny focused on how major tech companies might use their market dominance in one area to unfairly advantage themselves in others, with Microsoft potentially edging out competitors in the communication and collaboration software market by bundling Teams.
By unbundling Teams, Microsoft aims to let customers and businesses choose their preferred tools without feeling pressured to use Teams because of its integration with other Microsoft products. This change is significant for organisations using these technologies, as it could affect licensing costs and the possible integration of different communication tools.
Now, each Business Basic, Standard, and Premium license offers two options: one with Teams and one without.
New subscriptions without Teams will be available for the following licenses:
These options will be priced lower than the suites with Teams included, offering potential savings. Additionally, a new standalone subscription, Microsoft Teams Enterprise, will be introduced.
Existing Microsoft customers can continue with their current subscriptions or switch to the new versions without Teams at their next renewal. The timing of this switch—whether you are on an annual or monthly commitment—will determine how long you may have to wait.
We offer expert advice on the best Microsoft 365 subscription for your business, tailored to your team size, budget, and operations. Our services include analysis to help you understand the impact of choosing between a bundled or unbundled Teams plan. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance.