Surprised? Well, I sure am.
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Courtesy: David Loh/Reuters |
Skype has been recording losses of about $686 M in the last year and has not been profitable for a few years now. Skype is seen as a threat by all mobile operators as it is a way to call across countries through data link for free. Now, with the new development, I am not so sure the "Skype freedom" is going to continue.
Microsoft's online service has only loss making history with Lync and Bing being recorded as losses. Bing is in loss since 2005. I am not sure what Microsoft has been thinking ever since they offered to buy Yahoo for $48Bn in 2007. Some screws are coming off, but this move of acquiring Skype along with their losses beats me. Sure, Microsoft Telecommunications now have a new internet telephony tool to their armory -- but did they need it?
Has Skype ever recorded a profitable year? Yes - before 2005. Is that enough reason to buy Skype? Only Microsoft knows. So, who owns Skype now? Microsoft Online Services.
Why Microsoft online services, why?