Tech giant Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of Skype, its internet-based phone and video service, with operations set to cease in May 2025.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Microsoft confirmed the decision, encouraging users to transition to Microsoft Teams Free to retain access to their chats and contacts.
“Starting in May 2025, Skype will no longer be available. Over the coming days, you can sign in to Microsoft Teams Free with your Skype account to stay connected with all your chats and contacts. Thank you for being part of Skype,” the company announced.
Skype, once a dominant player in online communication, was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion. The platform gained immense popularity in the early 2000s, especially after its initial purchase by eBay in 2005 for $2.6 billion. However, eBay later sold a 65% stake to an investor group in 2009 for $1.9 billion before Microsoft took full ownership.
Despite its strong presence, Skype has faced declining usage in recent years due to increased competition from services like Zoom, Google Meet, Cisco WebEx, Apple’s FaceTime, and Meta’s WhatsApp. While the pandemic briefly revived interest in video conferencing platforms, Microsoft has since shifted its focus to Teams, a service that integrates similar communication features with additional business collaboration tools.
Originally launched in 2003 in Estonia, Skype revolutionized global communication by enabling free online calls. Its shutdown marks the end of an era in digital connectivity as Microsoft pivots toward its more modern and integrated communication solutions.
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