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Microsoft tightens oversight of neocloud data center projects, Bloomberg News reports

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The strategic pivot has already resulted in curtailed commitments, including Microsoft passing on an option to double its Texas computing agreement with Nscale. Weeks earlier, power connection delays pushing timelines into the 2030s forced Microsoft to abandon its anchor role at Nscale's flagship facility in Essex. Meanwhile, data center developers in Texas face broader regulatory headwinds after governor-elect Gina Hinojosa pledged to halt new builds until state regulations are enacted.

Key points

  • Microsoft is actively debating whether to sign future deals with neocloud providers as it…: Microsoft is actively debating whether to sign future deals with neocloud providers as it emphasizes in-house data centers.
  • Neocloud infrastructure partners face heightened financial volatility as Big Tech scales…: Neocloud infrastructure partners face heightened financial volatility as Big Tech scales back third-party computing reliance.
  • Regulatory uncertainty in Texas threatens the broader data center sector after the incomi…: Regulatory uncertainty in Texas threatens the broader data center sector after the incoming governor pledged to freeze new projects.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Nov 5 : Microsoft tightens oversight of some data center projects from neocloud providers Nebius, IREN and Nscale, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Shares of neocloud firms fell in afternoon trading, with Nebius and IREN down more than 13 per cent and CoreWeave down 11 per cent.

Here are more details:

• The Windows maker is stepping away from projects it deems risky and is debating internally whether to sign new neocloud deals, the Bloomberg report said

• Microsoft is focused on expanding its own data centers rather than adding neocloud deals, though it has not fully ruled them out, the report added

• Microsoft, Nebius, IREN and Nscale did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment

• Investors and data center developers face rising uncertainty in Texas after Gina Hinojosa won the governor's race, with the governor-elect having said she would ban new projects until state lawmakers pass rules for the industry

• Microsoft will not exercise the option to more than double the size of its existing agreement with Nscale to…

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