Skype to be discontinued in may – The end of an era in communication history

On 5th may, Skype users will receive notification of the service’s shutdown, marking the closing of a significant chapter in the history of internet communication. This moment not only signifies the farewell to a once-popular platform but also represents the culmination of a technological evolution that began in 2003.

Early beginnings and Microsoft acquisition

Skype made its debut in 2003, rapidly gaining popularity as a tool for global voice and video communication. In 2011, Microsoft acquired the platform, recognizing its potential to integrate with the company’s own products and services. This acquisition marked a turning point that would influence the future direction of Microsoft’s communication strategy.

Integration efforts and internal turbulence

Following the acquisition, Microsoft made several attempts to incorporate Skype into its broader service portfolio. A few years later, the company decided to phase out support for Windows Live Messenger and began experimenting with integrating Skype into Windows 10. The initial strategy involved launching separate applications for video calls, text messaging, and phone calls. Unfortunately, this approach proved unstable—subsequent updates led to significant changes that eventually resulted in the removal of these apps. In 2016, a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app was introduced as part of a move away from the traditional Win32 environment, only for Microsoft to later revert back to Win32-based solutions.

The rise of Microsoft Teams and a strategic shift

A breakthrough came in 2017 when Microsoft launched Microsoft Teams—a collaboration platform that drew inspiration from Skype’s technology. Designed as a response to increasing competition from services like Slack and the success of other communication solutions such as Apple’s FaceTime, Teams quickly became a focal point for Microsoft. Over time, the company shifted its emphasis from Skype to Teams, signaling a definitive change in its strategic approach.

The end of Skype – A symbol of transformation in communication

The planned discontinuation of Skype in May serves as the final chapter in a transformation that has spanned two decades. Although Skype once stood as an icon of internet communication, it could not keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies. Earlier transitions—such as the integration of Teams into Windows 11 replacing traditional Skype functionalities—had already hinted at this inevitable change.