Adapted by:
Javier Márquez
WriterI've been in media for over a decade, but I've been marveling at the possibilities that technology brings us much longer. I believe we live in a world where the digital revolution is changing everything and that Xataka is the best place to write about it.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Cloud computing services such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure have become essential tools for governments and companies of all sizes across Europe. The concept is straightforward. Rather than investing in their own servers, entities can access powerful tech resources through a pay-per-use model.
While this approach has been successful for many years, recent times have revealed some drawbacks. Rising costs have emerged as an issue, and new geopolitical concerns are increasingly coming to the forefront. These concerns gained momentum with President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, prompting some European players to consider a shift in strategy.
Europe Is Starting to Look Beyond the U.S.
Nearly 100 European entities recently signed an open letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU digital officer Henna Virkkunen. In the letter, they called for “radical action” to reduce dependence on foreign digital services. The document advocates for local solutions that encompass everything from hardware to cloud platforms.
Meanwhile, the Dutch Parliament passed eight motions urging the government to replace U.S.-origin software and hardware with solutions developed by local companies. The goal is to establish new contracts with Dutch providers offering equivalent services. The decision also aims to strengthen the country’s digital sovereignty by developing a national cloud based on local technology.
According to Wired, European providers like Switzerland’s Exoscale are experiencing a significant increase in demand for their services while customers aim to distance themselves from U.S. cloud giants. Exoscale CEO Mathias Nöbauer told the outlet that companies in Denmark are even moving away from U.S. solutions due to tensions between the Trump administration and the Danish government over Greenland.
There’s no indication that European governments and companies are shifting widely to local alternatives. However, several initiatives are underway, and some players are taking initial steps. An exodus to local providers would be detrimental to U.S. tech companies. In fact, they’ve recently implemented several changes to protect their European customers and prevent them from migrating to other platforms.
In this context, some foreign companies have begun installing servers within the European Union to ensure data is stored on EU territory. At the same time, they’ve implemented security systems to restrict access solely to their own customers. Cloud services form the backbone of many essential components that operate continuously.
A Complex Task
Switching cloud providers isn’t an easy choice. Whether choosing a U.S. or European platform, any migration process involves significant workload, potential disruptions in operations, and careful planning. Additional risks include data loss and compatibility issues between systems, particularly when architectures aren’t aligned.
Even in ideal scenarios where everything proceeds smoothly, the migration process may take longer than expected. The duration will largely depend on the size and complexity of the entity and the services involved. For companies with critical operations, changing providers requires more than just determination. It necessitates a strategic approach, technical resources, and enough flexibility to manage unforeseen impacts.
Image | Guillaume Périgois
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