Finance
Cloud Industry Group Calls for EU Interim Measure Against Broadcom Over VMware
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 19, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 19, 2026
Quick Summary
European lobby group CISPE has urged the EU Commission to impose an interim measure halting Broadcom’s termination of its VMware Cloud Service Provider program in Europe, arguing that the abrupt move harms EU cloud providers and undermines competition.
CISPE Calls for EU Interim Measure as Broadcom Ends VMware CSP Programme
Lobbying Efforts and Regulatory Response
By Foo Yun Chee
CISPE's Appeal to EU Antitrust Regulators
BRUSSELS, March 19 (Reuters) - Lobbying group Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe on Thursday urged EU antitrust regulators to temporarily stop Broadcom from ending its VMware Cloud Service Provider programme in Europe, ramping up its fight against the U.S. tech company.
Background: CISPE's Legal Actions Against Broadcom Acquisition
CISPE, which has nearly 50 members across Europe and counts Microsoft and Amazon as associate members, sued the European Commission last year for approving Broadcom's acquisition of VMware in 2023, saying the EU competition watchdog had failed to examine the deal properly.
Recent Developments in the VMware CSP Programme
It took its latest grievance about Broadcom to the Commission after the company revamped its VMware cloud service provider ecosystem late last year and asked for an interim measure.
Impact on European Cloud Service Providers
"In January 2026 Broadcom signalled the termination of its VMware Cloud Service Provider program in Europe. This unilateral decision removed all but a tiny minority of hand selected partners and excluded most European CSPs from selling VMware products," CISPE said in a statement.
"Both cloud providers and their customers - are being irreparably damaged by Broadcom's unfair actions," CISPE Secretary General Francisco Mingorance said.
Responses from Stakeholders
The Commission and Broadcom did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.
CISPE's Requested EU Interim Measures
CISPE said an EU interim measure should immediately suspend Broadcom's termination of its VCSP partner programme, allow them to be readmitted to the programme and include protection measures against retaliation from Broadcom.
(Reporting by Foo Yun CheeEditing by Rod Nickel)
Key Takeaways
- •CISPE represents nearly 50 European cloud providers and has both Microsoft and Amazon as associate members, and last year legally challenged the EU’s approval of Broadcom’s $69 b acquisition of VMware, alleging flawed competition oversight. (finance.yahoo.com)
- •Broadcom ended its VMware Cloud Service Provider program in Europe effective January 26, 2026, giving affected CSPs until March 31 to close open deals—prompting strong pushback from European providers who warn of irreparable harm. (techradar.com)
- •CISPE is calling for an EU interim injunction to reinstate displaced providers into the VCSP program immediately and to shield them from retaliation by Broadcom. (cispe.cloud)
References
- EU antitrust regulators erred in clearing Broadcom's VMware deal, cloud industry lobby says
- 'A bulldozer named Broadcom' hits cloud service providers after another major blow against VMware partners
- CISPE verklagt die Europäische Kommission: Anfechtung der EU Entscheidung zur VMware Übernahme durch Broadcom | CISPE - The Voice of Cloud Infrastructure Service Providers in Europe
Frequently Asked Questions about Cloud industry group calls for EU interim measure against Broadcom over VMware
1Who is urging the EU to act against Broadcom regarding VMware?
The Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE) lobbying group is urging EU antitrust regulators to take action.
2What issue does CISPE have with Broadcom's VMware programme?
CISPE claims Broadcom's decision to end the VMware Cloud Service Provider programme in Europe unfairly excludes most European CSPs.
3What specific interim measure is CISPE requesting from the EU?
CISPE wants the EU to immediately suspend Broadcom's termination of the VCSP partner programme and protect CSPs from retaliation.
4When did Broadcom signal the termination of the VMware Cloud Service Provider programme?
Broadcom signaled the termination in January 2026.
5Did the European Commission or Broadcom respond to CISPE's claims?
As of the article's publication, neither the European Commission nor Broadcom responded to requests for comment.
