Microsoft has announced it will shut down Skype, the pioneering video-calling app, in May. After nearly two decades of connecting people around the globe, Skype users will be transitioned to Microsoft Teams, the company’s main platform for video calls and team collaboration.
Launched in 2003 by a group of engineers in Estonia, Skype changed how we communicate by making voice and video calls over the internet accessible to everyone. For many in the Global South, Skype was a gateway to connect with family and friends abroad without the high costs of international calls.
“Skype made it possible for me to stay in touch with my relatives overseas,” says Maria, a university student from Kenya. “It bridged distances and made the world feel smaller.”
In 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion, recognizing its influence in transforming online communication. At its peak, Skype had over 170 million users worldwide and became a household name.
However, with the emergence of new platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Microsoft’s own Teams, Skype’s popularity declined. The shift to remote work and online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for advanced features and integration, which Teams offers.
By moving Skype users to Teams, Microsoft aims to provide a seamless experience with enhanced capabilities for both personal and professional communication. Users can still connect with their contacts and enjoy improved features within Teams.
While it’s the end of an era for Skype, its legacy lives on. It paved the way for the apps we use today to stay connected, learn, and work from anywhere in the world. So, here’s to Skype—a true game-changer in the world of communication.
