Microsoft has announced it will discontinue Skype in May, replacing it with a free version of Microsoft Teams.
This shift occurs as platforms like WhatsApp, Zoom, FaceTime, and Messenger lead the way in voice over IP (VoIP) communication, diminishing the role of traditional cellphone calls once central to Skype.
As reported by The Verge, existing Skype users can seamlessly log into the Microsoft Teams app, accessing their message history, contacts, and other content without needing a new account. Microsoft will phase out support for domestic and international calls.
Skype users can export their data, such as photos and chat history, using a Microsoft-provided tool for those opting not to transition to Teams.
Users have until May 5 to make a decision, as Skype will cease operations. Microsoft will honor existing Skype credits but will no longer provide paid features for making or receiving international and domestic calls.
The Skype shutdown primarily ends its ability to make cellphone calls. Microsoft told The Verge that while telephony was valuable during Skype’s peak, its relevance has waned.
“We’ve assessed usage trends, and while VoIP functionality was critical when mobile data was costly, it’s less essential now,” said Amit Fulay, Microsoft’s vice president of product. “Looking ahead, this isn’t a space we aim to prioritize.”
Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011, emphasizing its commitment to advancing real-time video and voice communication and tapping into Skype’s 160 million active users.
Skype was once integral to Windows devices and even marketed as a key Xbox feature. However, Microsoft acknowledges that Skype’s user base has stagnated, with the company now focusing on Microsoft Teams for consumer use.
