The tension between Broadcom and part of the European cloud ecosystem has taken a new leap. CISPE, the trade association representing cloud infrastructure providers in Europe, has filed a competition complaint with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition against Broadcom for changes implemented to VMware’s partner program in the region. The organization is also calling for urgent provisional measures to halt what it considers an immediate harm to the market, customers, and European technological autonomy itself.
This move comes at a critical time. Since Broadcom completed its acquisition of VMware on November 22, 2023, the sector has been reporting a tightening of commercial conditions, licensing changes, closed packages, and new demands for channel partners. Now, according to CISPE, the situation has reached a critical phase after the announcement in January 2026 of the termination of the VMware Cloud Service Provider program in Europe for most operators, leaving only a small minority of selected partners.
What CISPE is suing the European Commission for
The formal complaint from CISPE alleges that Broadcom is leveraging its position in virtualization software to restrict access to the European market. According to the organization, the increase in prices and the requirement to commit to minimum obligations upfront have been compounded by a channel redesign that prevents most European cloud providers from reselling or integrating VMware software into their services. CISPE claims that, combined, these changes have led to cost increases exceeding 1,000% in some cases, a figure attributed by the trade association to its members and central to its complaint.
Therefore, the association isn’t just requesting a thorough investigation. It also asks for immediate provisional measures: suspension of the termination of the VCSP program in Europe, readmission of excluded providers, reinstatement of the “white label” program that Broadcom eliminated in 2025, and explicit safeguards against possible retaliation, accompanied by a sanctions system if those conditions are not met. This request underscores how CISPE perceives the damage to be no longer just potential, but already present.
Why this matters to clients and providers
The dispute isn’t just a corporate battle between a multinational giant and its partners. It’s about the ability of many European providers, especially medium and small ones, to continue offering VMware-based environments to their clients. If the number of authorized partners is drastically reduced, it will also decrease competition in price, support, proximity, and sector-specific expertise. For many companies and public organizations reliant on VMware for their virtual workloads, this could mean fewer options, more complicated renewals, and an even greater dependence on a very small group of intermediaries.
This is precisely the political point CISPE is trying to raise in Brussels. The organization argues that Broadcom’s strategy does not strengthen a sovereign European cloud, but weakens local operators and increases market concentration around a handful of actors capable of remaining within the new commercial framework. At a time when digital sovereignty has become a priority for many European administrations, the complaint seeks to link a contractual dispute to a broader debate: who controls the key layers of software and infrastructure upon which the European digital economy depends.
Furthermore, this discontent doesn’t seem isolated. CISPE states that its complaint supports the one filed in May 2025 by Voice e.V., an association representing large IT users in Germany. Additionally, statements from organizations such as Beltug in Belgium, Dutch Cloud Community in the Netherlands, and Danish Cloud Community reflect a market altered by swift changes, unpredictability, and growing pressure on providers and clients. While this backing doesn’t automatically turn the allegations into proven facts, it does indicate that concern has spread across different countries and sector profiles.
Broadcom denies the accusations
Broadcom rejects this narrative. The company states that it “strongly” disagrees with CISPE’s allegations and asserts that it is making significant investments in its European VMware Cloud Service Provider partners to help them offer alternatives to the major hyperscalers. In other words, the company argues that its strategy isn’t aimed at closing the market, but at focusing on a smaller group of partners with greater execution capacity. This is, in fact, the main reasoning Broadcom has been reiterating since it began reshaping the VMware ecosystem after the acquisition.
For now, the European Commission has not delved into the substance but has confirmed receipt of the complaint and indicated it is evaluating it under its usual procedures. This distinction is important. There is no formal investigation announced yet, nor are any provisional measures approved, but the fact that Brussels already has the file on its desk adds regulatory pressure to a matter that until recently was primarily social and contractual in nature.
What happens in the coming weeks could have a very tangible impact. If the Commission acts swiftly and considers provisional measures, Broadcom might be required to pause some changes while the case is examined. If not, many providers could be forced into quick decisions: renegotiating, relocating clients, accepting new conditions, or even abandoning a strategic line of business. For the European cloud market, the question is no longer just about the cost of VMware under Broadcom, but who can continue selling it and on what terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CISPE and why has it sued Broadcom?
CISPE is a European association of cloud infrastructure providers. It has filed a competition complaint with the European Commission against Broadcom, arguing that changes in VMware’s partner program and commercial conditions restrict competition and harm European cloud providers.
What exactly is CISPE requesting from Brussels?
The association is demanding provisional measures to suspend the termination of the VCSP program in Europe, reinstate excluded providers, restore the “white label” model eliminated in 2025, and establish protections against possible retaliation.
Has Broadcom responded to these accusations?
Yes. Broadcom has stated that it “vigorously disagrees” with the complaint and affirms that it is investing in selected European partners to help them offer alternatives to the large global cloud providers.
Why does this complaint also concern VMware customers?
Because reducing the number of authorized partners in Europe could lead to less supply, fewer options, more complex renewal processes, and increased market concentration in the hands of just a few intermediaries.
Source: cispe.cloud