Acquisition

Skype and Microsoft: the deal on record

Microsoft agreed in May 2011 to acquire the internet calling service Skype for USD 8.5 billion in cash. The European Commission cleared the deal in October 2011 and Microsoft completed it on 13 October 2011, recording a purchase price of USD 8.6 billion. Microsoft retired the Skype service on 5 May 2025 and asked users to move to Microsoft Teams.^1,2,3,4

Timeline

1. 10 May 2011Microsoft announces an agreement to acquire Skype.¹
2. 7 October 2011The European Commission approves the acquisition.²
3. 13 October 2011Microsoft acquires all issued shares of Skype Global S.a r.l. for USD 8.6 billion, primarily in cash.³
4. 5 May 2025Microsoft retires Skype after announcing the move in late February 2025, directing users to Microsoft Teams.⁴

Regulatory review

1. 7 October 2011European Commission. Approved unconditionally under the EU Merger Regulation.²

Status now

The Skype service was retired by Microsoft on 5 May 2025.⁴

Sources

1. Microsoft News Center, Microsoft to Acquire Skype (10 May 2011)
2. European Commission, Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Skype by Microsoft (IP/11/1164) (7 October 2011)
3. US Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR), Microsoft Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 31 December 2011 (19 January 2012)
4. Tom's Hardware, Microsoft finally retires Skype after 22 years of service (5 May 2025)