Skype, once a household name in online video calls, has ceased operations after nearly two decades. The platform revolutionised communications in the early 2000s by enabling free voice and video calls over the Internet, long before competitors such as Zoom or FaceTime emerged.
Skype reached its peak popularity in the mid-2010s, with more than 300 million monthly users, connecting people across borders and changing the way we communicate.
Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for a hefty $8.5 billion, intending to integrate it into their communications strategy. However, the rise of rivals like WhatsApp and Zoom, combined with Microsoft’s own Teams platform, gradually overshadowed Skype’s dominance.
The shutdown affects both free and paid Skype users, although Skype for Business remains temporarily operational. Microsoft is encouraging users to switch to Teams by visiting skype.com and selecting the ‘Start using Teams’ feature.
On 28 February Microsoft announced that Skype would be retired as part of a streamlining effort that would make Teams the preferred choice for communication and collaboration needs.
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