Microsoft announces Skype will close in May

Microsoft has announced that Skype, its video calling service that once boasted hundreds of millions of users, will be officially shut down this May. Skype was once one of the most popular websites globally, allowing users to make free voice calls to friends and family around the world via computer, greatly facilitating people's communication. This service revolutionized how people connected across distances.

Although Skype was not the first or only company to offer such services, it successfully popularized the concept through its free computer-to-computer calling model. Skype announced on the social platform X that users can log in to Microsoft Teams with their Skype accounts to continue staying connected and access all chat history and contacts. BBC News contacted Microsoft for comment but did not receive a response. This integration aims to provide a seamless transition for existing users.

Skype was first released in 2003 and was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion (approximately £6.1 billion), which was Microsoft's largest acquisition at the time. After the acquisition, Skype was integrated into Microsoft's other products, such as Xbox and Windows devices. In December 2010, technology commentator Om Malik called it "one of the modern web's critical applications," at a time when Skype had experienced a two-day global outage. This acquisition marked a significant move for Microsoft in the communication technology space.

After the news of Skype's impending closure spread, many users reminisced about their experiences using Skype for video calls and its impact on their lives. One X user said, "My best friend and I shared so many wonderful memories on Skype. It's a sad day, it feels like losing a part of my youth." Another early user, Louise, told the BBC that she and her partner used Skype to chat when they started a "transatlantic romance." She added, "Before smartphones and WhatsApp calls, Skype was an exciting invention at the time. We easily assume that we can always freely talk to people around the world, but in reality, this has only developed recently." These personal stories highlight Skype's role in connecting people across borders.

Anna Simpson of digital marketing company Cedarwood Digital posted on LinkedIn that she often video-called her grandparents through Skype about 20 years ago after they moved to France. "Back then, it felt like magic," she wrote, "no expensive international long-distance charges, just a quick dial and some pixelated faces to keep us connected. Skype spearheaded the development of video calling. But now it's officially over. Microsoft is pulling the plug, but to be honest... it's been on life support for years." This reflects the sentiment that while Skype was revolutionary, its time has passed.

So, what exactly happened? When Microsoft acquired Skype, the app had been downloaded 1 billion times and had hundreds of millions of users. Then-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said at the time, "Together we will create the future of real-time communications." However, as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger became increasingly popular, Skype gradually declined. In 2017, Microsoft redesigned Skype, with some features very similar to competitor Snapchat, which caused user dissatisfaction. Rachel Kaser, a reporter for The Next Web, said at the time, "People are annoyed by this update to the Skype application because it fixed some things that weren't broken at all." This illustrates how changes to the platform contributed to its downfall.

As early as June 2021, there was speculation that Skype's end was near. When Microsoft announced its new operating system, Windows 11, it stated that Microsoft Teams would be integrated by default, while Skype was not included for the first time in many years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Teams' popularity increased as people moved work and personal meetings online. After the news of Skype's closure was announced, Jeff Teper, President of Microsoft Collaborative Apps and Platforms, published a blog post. In it, he stated that the company wanted to simplify its free services in order to focus on Teams. "With Teams, users can access many of the same core capabilities they use in Skype, such as one-to-one and group calls, messaging, and file sharing," he said, "In addition, Teams offers enhanced capabilities such as hosting meetings, managing calendars, and building and joining communities for free." This strategic shift towards Teams signals Microsoft's focus on a more comprehensive communication platform.

Microsoft stated that Skype users can now choose to migrate to Microsoft Teams or export their Skype data, including chat history, contacts, and call history. For customers who pay to use certain Skype features, Microsoft said they will be able to use their services until their next renewal period. This provides users with options for transitioning away from the platform and preserving their data.