Dhaka, Mar 01 (V7N) – Microsoft has announced that Skype, the pioneering online calling platform, will be officially retired in May 2025. The company is shifting its focus to Microsoft Teams, which has become the preferred communication tool for businesses and individuals.

In a statement posted on X, Skype Support confirmed the decision, directing users to sign into Teams for continued service. Microsoft acknowledged Skype’s significant role in shaping modern communication, stating, "We are honored to have been part of this journey."

Founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Skype revolutionized internet-based calling and disrupted the traditional landline industry. However, in recent years, it has struggled to compete with more user-friendly and mobile-optimized alternatives like Zoom.

One of Skype’s main challenges was that its technology was not originally built for the smartphone era. "We've learned a lot from Skype as we've evolved Teams over the last seven to eight years," said Jeff Teper, President of Microsoft 365 Collaborative Apps and Platforms, in an interview with CNBC.

He added that consolidating Microsoft’s efforts into Teams would simplify the user experience and accelerate innovation.

While Microsoft has not disclosed the current number of Skype users, statistics show a sharp decline over the years. When Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011, it had around 150 million monthly active users. By 2020, that number had dropped to 23 million. Meanwhile, Teams has surged to 320 million monthly active users.

Microsoft assured that there would be no job cuts related to Skype’s shutdown. Existing Skype users will be able to log into Teams for free using their current credentials, with their contacts and chat history automatically migrated.

The move marks the end of an era for Skype, which once dominated online communication but has now been overtaken by more modern, integrated platforms.

END/RH/AJ