Image of Skype

Skype

Organization

A telecommunications app acquired by eBay in 2005 and later sold.


First Mentioned

6/25/2026, 5:06:53 AM

Last Updated

6/25/2026, 5:09:29 AM

Research Retrieved

6/25/2026, 5:09:29 AM

Research Data
Extracted Attributes
    Skype

    Skype ( ) was a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, an acquired division of Microsoft, best known for IP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. It also had instant messaging, file transfer, debit-based calls to landline and mobile telephones (over traditional telephone networks), and other features. It was available on various desktop, mobile, and video game console platforms. Skype was created by Niklas Zennström, Janus Friis, and four Estonian developers, and first released on August 29, 2003. In September 2005, eBay acquired it for $2.6 billion. In September 2009, Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz, and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought 65% of Skype for $1.9 billion from eBay, valuing the business at $2.92 billion. In May 2011, Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5 billion and used it to replace its own Windows Live Messenger. As of 2011, most of the development team and 44% of all the division's employees were in Tallinn and Tartu, Estonia. Skype originally featured a hybrid peer-to-peer and client–server system. It became entirely powered by Microsoft-operated supernodes in May 2012; in 2017, it changed from a peer-to-peer service to a centralized Azure-based service. In February 2023, it was used by 36 million people each day. The service was retired on 5 May 2025, and the website now redirects users to Microsoft Teams; however, the Skype Dial Pad remains functional for users with paid services.

    Web Search Results
    • Skype - Wikipedia

      Part of a series on Skype Image 7.svg) Skype Technologies Features of Skype GroupMe Skype protocol Skype security Skype for Business Skype for Business Server Skype Qik Skype Translator v t e Skype (/s k aɪ p/ⓘ) was a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, an acquired division of Microsoft, best known for IP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. It also had instant messaging, file transfer, debit-based calls to landline and mobile telephones (over traditional telephone networks), and other features. It was available on various desktop, mobile, and video game console platforms. [...] ## Technology ### Protocol Main article: Skype protocol Skype used a proprietary Internet telephony (VoIP) network called the Skype protocol. The protocol had not been made publicly available by Skype, and official applications using the protocol were also proprietary. Part of the Skype technology relied on the Global Index P2P protocol belonging to the Joltid Ltd. corporation. The main difference between Skype and standard VoIP clients was that Skype operated on a peer-to-peer model (originally based on the Kazaa software( rather than the more usual client-server model (note that the very popular Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) model of VoIP is also peer-to-peer, but implementation generally requires registration with a server, as did Skype). [...] Skype was created by Niklas Zennström, Janus Friis, and four Estonian developers, and first released on August 29, 2003. In September 2005, eBay acquired it for $2.6 billion.( In September 2009,( Lake, Andreessen Horowitz, and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought 65% of Skype for $1.9 billion from eBay, valuing the business at $2.92 billion. In May 2011, Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5 billion and used it to replace its own Windows Live Messenger. As of 2011, most of the development team and 44% of all the division's employees were in Tallinn and Tartu, Estonia.(

    • Skype (software) | Computer Science | Research Starters | EBSCO Research

      RESEARCH STARTER # Skype (software) Skype is an Internet-based communication platform that enables users to connect through voice and video calls, as well as messaging services. Launched in 2003, it utilizes voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) technology and has attracted hundreds of millions of users globally, who can access its basic features for free. For those seeking additional functionality, such as calling landlines or enhanced communication options, Skype offers a premium version at a reasonable cost. The platform is particularly popular among individuals for staying in touch with family and friends and among businesses for conducting meetings across distances. [...] Skype is an Internet-based communication network that allows its users to connect with one another through online phone and video calls. Founded in 2003, Skype is a popular voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service that boasts hundreds of millions of users around the world. For many people, Skype is a particularly attractive platform for communication because those who download it to their computers or cell phones can use its basic features to make video calls and send messages free of charge. Users willing to pay for the service's premium version can also place calls to landlines and have access to other features for a reasonable price. Whether they pay for premium features or not, people frequently use Skype to stay in touch with family and friends, conduct long-distance business [...] Skype is an Internet-based communication network that allows its users to connect with one another through online phone and video calls. Founded in 2003, Skype is a popular voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service that boasts hundreds of millions of users around the world. For many people, Skype is a particularly attractive platform for communication because those who download it to their computers or cell phones can use its basic features to make video calls and send messages free of charge. Users willing to pay for the service's premium version can also place calls to landlines and have access to other features for a reasonable price. Whether they pay for premium features or not, people frequently use Skype to stay in touch with family and friends, conduct long-distance business

    • How to Use Skype - Beginner's Guide

      # How to Use Skype - Beginner's Guide ## Howfinity 1090000 subscribers 5032 likes ### Description 720504 views Posted: 8 May 2019 Skype is a video, audio, and chat app by Microsoft. The app is available on Mac and PC and on iPhone and Android. It allows you to chat for free with your contacts that have a skype account. You can easily do video or audio chat or even share your screen. There is a simple group chat option as well built in the app. Thank you for watching this video! Please share and subscribe for more, easy to follow social media and tech videos. [...] everyone in today's video I wanted to show you how to use Skype so if you're new to Skype or walk you through some of the best option that Skype has to offer Skype is basically a video an audio or a chat application and it's available for many different devices from your iPhone to Android phones to a desktop in this video we'll look at the desktop version it's actually one of my favorite tools to use for video chatting and collaborating with colleagues so jump into Skype comm it's owned by Microsoft so you'll get to this page here and you could go ahead and download Skype here for your device or you could check here for the different devices that it has right here but I already downloaded it for my Mac here and once you download it again press download it will download it here to your Mac [...] box here your chat icon your calls your contact and your notification so on their chance these are all the different people that i chat with here and on their calls these the people I've had calls with on skype this is my contact list so everybody that's been connected with me on skype is here and at any time on there any of these I could start a new chat call or show on by pressing this plus sign and say new group chat or new chat or new private conversation same with call I could press and choose a call to start a new call and if I wanted to add another contact and I have their skype name I could press contact find the people and invite them to my skype here to have a conversation with them and notification is gonna just show you some of the things about Skype such as new updates here

    • Skype - Download

      ### A long-standing social and communication app Skype continues to offer a range of features that have made it a solid communication tool for years. The app provides free HD video and voice calls, making it ideal for personal and professional use. Also, screen sharing is seamless in the app, allowing users to collaborate effectively. Additionally, the live subtitle feature enhances accessibility for users who may have hearing impairments or need translations. [...] Get 10 images or 1 video with a free trial Despite facing tough competition from Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and WhatsApp, Skype remains relevant due to its cross-platform compatibility and integration with Microsoft services. With features like live subtitles, screen sharing, and Skype-to-phone calls, it appeals to both casual and business users. It also offers an easy-to-navigate interface that caters to any type of user. ### A long-standing social and communication app [...] One of the app’s standout features is its ability to call mobile and landline numbers at competitive rates. This is particularly useful for businesses and individuals making international calls, either for personal purposes or for work. The app’s integration with Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft OneDrive, enhances productivity, making it a convenient tool for those already within the Microsoft ecosystem.

    • 6.3.1 What is Skype?

      # Lesson 3 ## What is Skype? Lesson 3 Lesson 3 1 of 9 1 of 9 Skype is a communication tool for mobile devices and computers alike. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice one-to-one and group calls, send instant messages and share files with other people on Skype. This training is current for Windows 10, and Skype 8. This is not a training for Skype for Business, which is an entirely different application. Skype is free to download. For a small cost, you can have additional features – like the ability to call phones and send SMS, however this training only covers the free features in Skype. Please allow [00:38] to watch the following instructional demonstration on What is Skype before continuing to the next topic.

    Location Data

    Skype, شارع الكركفة, حارة التراجمة, بيت لحم, منطقة أ, الضفة الغربية, الأراضي الفلسطينية

    restaurant

    Coordinates: 31.7132437, 35.2061241

    Open Map