Public cloud providers have established themselves as the primary lifeline for modern enterprise IT, delivering unprecedented scalability, operational efficiency, and innovation. Despite all the advancements they’ve ushered in, businesses are noticing a disparity that’s hard to ignore: Why are public cloud prices holding firm—or even increasing—while hardware costs have plummeted?
As an analyst who closely follows this industry, I believe the answer lies at the intersection of economics, business priorities, and infrastructure complexities. Public cloud providers operate on the promise of seemingly infinite scalability, yet they are businesses beholden to investors and shareholders as well as customers. Their billion-dollar infrastructure investments, shareholder expectations for consistent returns, and high operational costs contribute to a rigid pricing structure—a reality many enterprises now grapple with.
Keep in mind that I don’t work for a cloud provider. I’m offering some educated guesses based on anecdotal data, observed trends, and logical conclusions. With that in mind, I’ll explore why major cloud providers haven’t passed on savings from declining hardware costs and what that means for businesses. More importantly, how can enterprises navigate this landscape? I recommend considering alternatives to the hyperscalers, from managed service providers to private clouds. The public cloud’s unchecked expansion may face serious headwinds as organizations reprioritize cost efficiency.
