Who is "Skype" and why does Microsoft want to buy it for $8.5 Billion

Skype uses your broadband connection to make free voice and video calls over the internet. Skype’s free downloadable software allows you to talk, instant message and make video calls to anyone else of Skype for free.



You can also call phones and mobiles and send text messages at great rates.

With Skype you can make free calls over the Internet. Skype – the whole world can talk for free

Unlimited calls to landlines with Skype




Microsoft Inc. said it would buy Internet telephone service Skype for $8.5 billion in cash. The Skype purchase would be Microsoft's largest in its 36-year history. It follows AT&T Inc.'s announcement in March that it would buy T-Mobile USA for $39 billion and Johnson & Johnson's $21.3 billion deal announced last month to acquire Synthes, a maker of medical instruments and implants.