Skype was one of the first platforms to take advantage of the Internet for facilitating communication. In its early days, it allowed users to make free calls to other Skype users. Shortly after, it introduced the option to call phone numbers worldwide via VoIP, offering much lower rates than traditional operators. Eventually, it added support for free video calls, making it an essential tool for millions of people.
However, with the launch of Teams, keeping Skype running no longer made sense, as both platforms offered similar services. It was only a matter of time before Microsoft, under the leadership of Satya Nadella, made the decision to shut down Skype and encourage its users to migrate to Teams.
The company has confirmed on the official Skype website that the service will be discontinued starting in May, although no exact date has been specified. To make the transition smoother, current users will be able to log into Teams, where they will find all their contacts and conversations.
This shutdown marks the end of a platform that has been in operation for 22 years, and that many people have used at some point, whether occasionally or regularly.
It is worth noting that Skype was not originally created by Microsoft—it was acquired in 2011. Teams, on the other hand, was developed internally by the company and offers a similar structure with additional features, making the transition easier for users.
One of the key factors behind Skype’s popularity was its free service, which allowed it to be used on a wide range of devices, including older Nokia phones running Symbian, long before the arrival of smartphones.
During the pandemic, millions of people turned to video calls to stay connected with their loved ones. However, despite being the most veteran platform on the market, Skype failed to gain traction during this period, losing ground to Zoom and Google Meet, while Teams was still in its early growth stages.
The exact number of active users on Skype today remains unknown, but Microsoft’s decision to shut it down suggests that the user base is too small to justify the server costs. The company aims to consolidate all its communication tools into Teams, its primary platform.
For now, it is also unclear whether Microsoft will allow Skype users to purchase call credits to dial landline and mobile numbers in other countries—one of Skype’s standout features. However, this option is unlikely to continue due to the rise of WhatsApp and Telegram, which enable voice and video calls over the Internet. Those who still rely on such services will have to turn to other platforms that offer similar features, albeit at a higher cost, such as Viber or Google Voice, the latter being available only in the United States.
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