Confirmed: Microsoft is Buying Skype for $8.5 Billion

Last week , it wasGoogle and Facebook who were state to be purchase Skype . Today , Microsoft has announced that actually ? They ’re the I snapping up the VoIP ship’s company . The confirmed price is $ 8.5 billion ; considerably more than what eBay buy Skype for back in 2005 .

So what is Microsoft getting out of the deal ? Not just the secrets to Skype ’s phenomenal success . Microsoft ’s said that Skype “ will endorse Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect , Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices , and Microsoft will link up Skype users with Lync , Outlook , Xbox Live and other communities . ”

Do n’t fear that Microsoft will cruelly snatch Skype from your Android or iPhone , however : “ Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype client on non - Microsoft platforms . ” Phew . [ Microsoft ]

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REDMOND , Wash. , and LUXEMBOURG – May 10 , 2011 – Microsoft Corp. ( Nasdaq : “ MSFT ” ) and Skype Global S.à r.l today announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will develop Skype , the run Internet communication companionship , for $ 8.5 billion in cash from the investor grouping led by Silver Lake . The agreement has been approved by the boards of director of both Microsoft and Skype .

The skill will increase the accessibility of real - time video and voice communications , bringing benefit to both consumers and enterprise users and return significant young stage business and revenue opportunities . The combination will extend Skype ’s world - course of instruction brand and the reach of its networked platform , while enhance Microsoft ’s existing portfolio of real - time communications products and services .

With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minute of articulation and video conversation in 2010 , Skype has been a pioneer in creating rich , meaningful connections among friends , families and business colleagues globally . Microsoft has a long - standing focusing and investing in real - time communications across its various platforms , including Lync ( which saw 30 per centum revenue growth in Q3 ) , Outlook , Messenger , Hotmail and Xbox LIVE .

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Skype will bear Microsoft gadget like Xbox and Kinect , Windows Phone and a broad regalia of Windows devices , and Microsoft will plug in Skype users with Lync , Outlook , Xbox Live and other community . Microsoft will keep to invest in and support Skype clients on non - Microsoft platform .

“ Skype is a phenomenal service that is love by millions of masses around the humans , ” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer . “ Together we will make the future of real - time communication so multitude can easily outride connected to kin , friends , client and confrere anywhere in the human race . ”

Skype will become a new business naval division within Microsoft , and Skype CEO Tony Bates will assume the title of chairwoman of the Microsoft Skype Division , report directly to Ballmer .

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“ Microsoft and Skype share the visual sense of bringing software conception and ware to our customers , ” state Tony Bates . “ Together , we will be able to accelerate Skype ’s plans to exsert our global community and bring out new ways for everyone to communicate and join forces , ” Bates tell .

“ Tony Bates has a gravid lead platter as a leader and will strengthen the Microsoft management team . I ’m look forward to Skype ’s talented global men bringing its insights , ideas and experience to Microsoft , ” Ballmer said .

Speaking on behalf of the investor group that sell Skype to Microsoft , Egon Durban , managing director of Silver Lake , said : “ We are thrilled with Skype ’s transmutation during the flow of our ownership and thankful for the extraordinary committedness of its direction team and employees . We are mad about Skype ’s longsighted - term futurity with Microsoft , as it is poised to become one of the world ’s most dynamic and comprehensive communications platforms . ”

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Founded in 2003 , Skype was acquire by eBay in September 2005 , and then take on by an investiture group guide by Silver Lake in November 2009 . Skype has made impressive procession over the preceding 18 month under Silver Lake ’s leaders , increasing monthly vocation minute by 150 percent , developing new revenue streams and strategic partnerships , acquire the intellectual prop powering its peer - to - peer web , and recruiting an owing senior direction team .

Other members of the trade investor group led by Silver Lake include eBay International AG , CPP Investment Board , Joltid Limited in partnership with Europlay Capital Advisors ; and Andreessen Horowitz .

The acquisition is capable to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions . The party hope to obtain all required regulative clearances during the course of instruction of this calendar class .

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