Microsoft has officially announced the closure of Skype in May, marking the end of an era for the pioneering VoIP service. In its place, Microsoft will offer a free version of Microsoft Teams, catering to the evolving needs of digital communication. This move comes amidst the dominance of platforms like WhatsApp, Zoom, FaceTime, and Messenger, which have redefined how we connect via voice over IP (VoIP), pushing traditional cellphone calls into the background.
According to The Verge, current Skype users can seamlessly transition to Microsoft Teams by logging in with their existing credentials. This ensures that all their valuable data, including message history and contacts, will be readily available without the need for a new account. However, Microsoft plans to discontinue support for domestic and international calls, a feature that once set Skype apart.
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 preserve their digital memories. Skype users have a 60-day window, until May 5, to make their decision. Microsoft assures that existing Skype credits will be honored, but new customers will no longer have access to paid Skype features that enabled international and domestic calls.
The most significant impact of Skype's shutdown is the loss of the ability to make calls to cellphones. Amit Fulay, Microsoft's vice president of product, explained to The Verge that while telephony was crucial during Skype's peak, it has become less relevant today. "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's acquisition of Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011 was driven by a desire to enhance real-time video and voice communications and tap into Skype's 160 million active users. Skype once played a pivotal role across Windows devices and was even highlighted as a feature for Xbox consoles. However, Microsoft acknowledges that Skype's userbase has not grown in recent years, prompting a shift in focus towards Microsoft Teams for consumer use.
