The document the CMA published was from the 25th of July so we don’t know if Microsoft finalized the deal they submitted they were ‘close’ to completing that addressed the cloud concerns:
In addition, as the CMA is aware from its confidential discussions with the Parties, Microsoft is in the advanced stages of putting forward a proposal to modify the relevant merger situation (RMS) that the FR addressed. The modified RMS would be different such that it would amount to a new RMS within the meaning of section 33 of the Act. In circumstances where a new RMS supersedes the RMS in relation to which the FR was produced, and can deal with the concerns identified in the FR, a Final Order which had the effect of prohibiting or qualifying the completion of the RMS would be plainly unjustified.
I have to say, the last 3 weeks or so were great mainly because I wasn’t really following any of this and there was no news on this, hope that when this is over there’s no more acquisitions for a good while and also hoping for no acquisition rumors, because man this has been tiresome, good to see that New Zealand finally approved.
This probably just proves that those who believed that were wrong and New Zealand was doing their own thing. I’m one of those who believed New Zealand was working with the CMA and wouldn’t do something that contradicts them and I was probably wrong.
