Microsoft has announced the upcoming closure of Skype in May, opting to transition users to a free version of Microsoft Teams. This decision comes as VoIP platforms like WhatsApp, Zoom, FaceTime, and Messenger have taken over as the leading options for communication, pushing traditional cellphone calls via Skype into the past.
According to The Verge, existing Skype users can seamlessly transition to Microsoft Teams, where they'll find all their previous Skype data, including message history and contacts, without needing to set up a new account. As part of this shift, Microsoft will gradually eliminate support for domestic and international calling.
For those who prefer not to switch to Teams, Microsoft offers a tool to export Skype data, such as photos and conversation history, allowing users to retain their chat records. Users have until May 5 to make their decision, as Skype will cease operations on that date. Microsoft assures that any existing Skype credits will be honored, though new customers will no longer have access to paid Skype features for making or receiving calls.
The key loss with Skype's shutdown is the ability to make calls to cellphones. Microsoft's Vice President of Product, Amit Fulay, explained to The Verge that while telephony was crucial during Skype's peak, it's less relevant now. "Part of the reason is we look at the usage and the trends, and this functionality was great at the time when voice over IP (VoIP) wasn’t available and mobile data plans were very expensive," Fulay stated. "If we look at the future, that’s not a thing we want to be in."
Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011, aiming to enhance its focus on real-time video and voice communications and tap into Skype's 160 million active users. Skype once played a significant role across Windows devices and was even highlighted as a feature for Xbox consoles. However, Microsoft acknowledges that Skype's user base has stagnated in recent years, prompting a shift in focus towards Microsoft Teams for consumer use.
