Microsoft Announces the Shutdown of Skype: A Chapter Closes After 20 Years

After two decades of service, Skype, a pioneer of internet calling, is soon to close its doors. Acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion, the service will be permanently discontinued in May 2025, marking a symbolic moment for the early 2000s internet era. Skype, which played a pivotal role in the rise of VoIP calls, saw a rapid surge in popularity in the 2000s before being gradually surpassed by competing services such as Zoom, WhatsApp, and more recently, Discord.

A Planned End: Migration to Microsoft Teams

The announcement was confirmed by a message found in an update still being tested, which clearly states, “From May, Skype will no longer be available.” Users are encouraged to migrate their conversations and contacts to Microsoft Teams. Jeff Teper, the head of collaborative applications at Microsoft, emphasized that Skype users will have the option to transfer their data or move directly to Teams. Skype’s shutdown, set for May 5th, marks a turning point for one of the most iconic platforms of the early internet calling era.

Founded in 2003 by Scandinavian entrepreneurs, Skype revolutionized communication by allowing free calls between users of the service. Its acquisition by eBay in 2005 and later by Microsoft in 2011 strengthened its position, but the rise of new services, especially Zoom, which exploded during the pandemic, slowed its growth. Today, Skype seems to have been overshadowed by more modern alternatives, with Microsoft now focusing its efforts on Teams, which has become an essential tool in professional environments.

The American tech giant has yet to respond to requests for clarification regarding the transition, but it’s clear that Skype’s end signifies the close of an era, while highlighting the rapid evolution of the digital communications sector.