Broadcom denied names of cloud providers backing VMware merger challenge

What happened

The EU General Court ruled that CISPE does not have to reveal which of its members support its legal action. CISPE is challenging the European Commission's approval of Broadcom's purchase of VMware. Broadcom had asked for the names, saying it needed them to fight the case. CISPE says the ruling lets the case continue without exposing those members to Broadcom.

Why the case exists

VMware makes software that runs many virtual computers. Many small and mid-sized cloud companies in Europe use it to sell cloud services. CISPE says the European Commission should have set conditions on Broadcom to protect these providers. The Commission approved the deal in November 2023 with no conditions. CISPE filed its case in 2025 to have that approval cancelled.

Key numbers

• CISPE represents 48 cloud infrastructure service providers across the EU.
• CISPE says fewer than 20 European providers are still allowed to offer VMware-based services, down from more than 1,000.
• AT&T says Broadcom proposed a 1,050 percent price increase.
• Nine out of ten people in a recent survey of VMware customers said they were thinking about moving to other products.
• Providers that were cut off have until 31 March 2027 to sell their infrastructure or customers to a competitor chosen by Broadcom, or to close.

Why it matters

This ruling does not decide whether the Commission was right. It only removes a early roadblock so the case can be heard. If CISPE wins, the Commission's approval could be cancelled. The case also shows how worried many European cloud companies are about losing access to VMware software.

What to watch

• Whether the General Court hears the main case on whether the Commission made the right decision.
• Whether any European providers are able to keep selling VMware-based services before the March 2027 deadline.
• How Broadcom responds to the ruling and to the claims about its pricing and partner changes.