Microsoft’s $8.5bn “shared vision” for Skype

Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype for $8.5bn in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake promises to increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications.

The deal is likely to extend Skype’s reach, while enhancing Microsoft’s existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services, the companies said. Some commentators, however, questioned whether Skype was worth that much - and whether it would prosper under the Microsoft corporate umbrella.

“Microsoft and Skype share the vision of bringing software innovation and products to our customers,” said Bates. “Together, we will be able to accelerate Skype’s plans to extend our global community and introduce new ways for everyone to communicate and collaborate.”

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer added: “Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world. 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.”

The Cloudave.com website was less fulsome. Editor Krishnan Subramanian suggested the deal will mean “Skype as we know it today, as a great consumer communication app, may cease to exist. I have no evidence to back up this claim but this is my hunch feeling based on Microsoft’s past.”

Continued...