Washington: Skype, the widely used video calling service, will be permanently discontinued as Microsoft shifts focus to Teams.
Service Closure
Microsoft has announced that Skype will officially shut down in May 2025.
The company urges users to transition to Microsoft Teams before the shutdown.
Microsoft stated on X that users can log into Teams Free with their Skype accounts.
This will allow them to keep their contacts and chat history.
The company thanked users for their support and participation in Skype.
Skype’s Journey
Skype launched in 2003 and gained worldwide popularity for video calls.
Microsoft acquired Skype 14 years ago for $8.5 billion.
At its peak, Skype had 300 million monthly active users.
It was once the leading platform for long-distance calls and online meetings.
However, competition and changing technology caused its decline.
Market Challenges
Skype faced increasing competition from Zoom and mobile communication apps.
The pandemic further boosted rival services like Zoom and Google Meet.
Microsoft attempted to position Skype as a corporate tool.
However, Slack and Teams emerged as dominant platforms in that space.
Teams became Microsoft’s preferred choice for workplace and personal communication.
Rise of Teams
Jeff Teper, Microsoft’s president of collaborative apps, highlighted Teams’ rapid growth.
Millions now use Teams as their primary communication tool.
Microsoft reported a fourfold increase in meeting minutes on Teams in two years.
Teams offers messaging, calling, and collaborative features beyond what Skype provided.
The company sees Teams as the future of online communication.
User Transition
Skype users are encouraged to move to Teams before May 2025.
Teams Free allows users to sign in using their Skype credentials.
All existing contacts and conversations can be transferred to Teams.
Microsoft ensures a seamless transition to avoid losing communication history.
The company aims to make the shift smooth for all users.
End of an Era
Skype revolutionized online communication for millions worldwide.
However, evolving technology and user preferences led to its decline.
Microsoft believes Teams offers more advanced communication tools.
With Skype’s shutdown, a major chapter in digital communication ends.
