Microsoft has issued a press release confirming earlier reports regarding buyout of Skype by it. The buyout price for Skype is $8.5 billion in cash and will be funded through investor group led by Silver Lake.
Microsoft reported as ”With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010, Skype has been a pioneer in creating rich, meaningful connections among friends, families and business colleagues globally.”
“Microsoft has a long-standing focus and investment in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync (which saw 30 percent revenue growth in Q3), Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE.”
Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms.
“Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
“Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world.”
There were reports earlier published as Facebook and Google being potential buyers, but it was Microsoft who closed the deal. It’s quite surprising that Windows Live Messenger is not specifically mentioned in the list of services. Microsoft has already announced the soon-coming Skype app for Windows Phone and the first focus seems is to connect Skype with Microsoft Lync.
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No. 11 2012 Issue