Microsoft to buy Skype for U.S $8.5 billion

A Deal Microsoft Was Waiting For?

Microsoft is to buy Voice-over-IP software provider Skype, for about 8.5 billion U.S Dollars. The two companies have announced this acquisition. After the acquisition, Skype will be integrated into Microsoft

The acquisition of Skype by Microsoft’s official: The supervisory boards of both companies have approved the acquisition. Microsoft will pay 8.5 billion U.S. dollars in cash to the current owner. In addition to Silver Lake and eBay give CPP Investment, Joltid, Euro’s capital and its shares from Andreessen Horowitz on Skype.

The investor group led by Silver Lake took over in 2009 the majority of Skype, eBay and paid about 1.9 billion U.S. dollars for 65 percent of the shares of Skype. Since then, the Voice-over-IP software provider to increase the number of telephone minutes per month handled by 150 percent.

Skype should work together in future devices such as the Microsoft Xbox or Kinect and also support Windows Mobile. Microsoft also wants the users of Skype’s own services that connect Lync, Outlook, and Xbox Live.

Microsoft promises, Skype continues to offer and develop for other platforms.

Skype will be integrated after the acquisition as a new business division at Microsoft. Skype chief executive Tony Bates gets the title of president of Microsoft’s Skype division and will report directly to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.