At Civo, we’ve always believed that the cloud industry should be fair, open, and accessible to companies of all sizes - not just the select few with deep pockets and large platforms. When the Open Cloud Coalition (OCC) was first proposed, we immediately saw it as an opportunity to cut through the noise and amplify the important voices of the cloud industry.
The OCC couldn’t come at a more critical time. With a new government stepping into power in the UK, fresh representatives in the European Union (EU), the imminence of the CMA’s provisional decision on its Cloud Enquiry, and regulatory processes underway in the UK, Spain, and Denmark, now is the time to take action. New leadership brings with it a promise of change and a chance to correct previous shortcomings. For Civo, joining the Open Cloud Coalition is about seizing this moment to push for a cloud industry, alongside our fellow members of all sizes, that value choice, competition, and genuine innovation.
Bringing data sovereignty into focus
In June, Microsoft gave the industry a wake-up call after admitting it could not guarantee that sensitive Scottish policing data, stored on Azure, would remain within UK borders. As the public becomes increasingly concerned about data privacy and security, we’re seeing customers demanding greater control over their data to guarantee it stays precisely where they want it.
But it’s not only critical sectors that are rethinking their cloud strategies. With regulations such as the UK’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the upcoming EU Data Sovereignty rules taking effect, compliance is top of mind. Once the default choice, companies are now beginning to question whether hyperscalers are actually best suited to meet today’s data demands.
This is where the Open Cloud Coalition comes in. At Civo, we joined the OCC because we believe in a future where cloud customers aren’t forced to compromise on data privacy and security. The OCC’s mission is to champion a diverse cloud ecosystem that empowers companies to make the best decisions for their data - without being locked into solutions that don’t fully meet their needs. Our members are diverse but are committed to working together on an equal footing - one member, one vote - to bring about long-overdue change.
Beyond hyperscalers: building a thriving and competitive cloud industry
While Keir Starmer’s government came out strong by promising to drive growth within the UK’s tech industry, recent decisions have cast doubt on their commitment to fair competition. Despite urging the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to “prioritise growth,” the government’s appointment of Microsoft UK’s CEO to the advisory board of its Industrial Strategy sends a conflicting message. This strategy, intended to drive long-term growth across the British tech industry, now raises questions about who actually stands to benefit from this “growth”. The OCC was launched to challenge this dynamic and advocate for a cloud market that isn’t dominated by a few players who hold all the cards.
Part of the OCC’s founding promise is to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard, not just those who are the loudest. It aims to influence policy in a way that fosters real growth and innovation, giving companies of all sizes the chance to compete, collaborate, and contribute to the digital economy. By pushing back against the status quo, the OCC is working on behalf of all of its members, to create a future where cloud users benefit from genuine choice, value, and security.
Creating a fair and open cloud ecosystem
One of the core principles driving the Open Cloud Coalition is the belief that cloud technology should be accessible, affordable, and adaptable for businesses of all sizes. Yet, as demand for cloud and AI technology continues to surge, we’re seeing hyperscalers taking full advantage of this opportunity to drive up prices. To make matters worse, hidden fees, such as data egress charges and complex licensing costs, are becoming increasingly common, making it harder for smaller companies to scale. Ultimately, this pricing model locks out those who could benefit most from cloud and AI technology, stifling innovation and limiting growth across the industry.
For us, building a fair cloud ecosystem means putting the interests of customers first. This starts with supporting true interoperability to ensure that customers have the freedom to move between providers or adopt multi-cloud solutions without being locked into a single vendor’s ecosystem. By making it technically challenging to switch, customers often find themselves locked into a cloud solution that may not be the best fit for their business. To address this, the OCC is pushing for open standards that prioritise flexibility and customer choice. By empowering businesses to build cloud solutions that genuinely meet their needs, the OCC is helping to create a cloud market where competition, innovation and accessibility truly thrive.
To learn more about the Open Cloud Coalition, our goals, and our fellow members, visit the official website here: https://opencloudcoalition.com/
