Microsoft is in talks to acquire Internet telephony services company Skype Technologies, and an estimate deal of between $7bn and $8bn could be announced today, according to US reports.
Skype filed for a proposed initial public offering (IPO) of its ordinary shares in August 2010, but put the plans on hold after appointing chief executive Tony Bates in October.
The company is currently owned by an investor group led by Silver Lake, which includes eBay and Skype founders Niklas Zennstromand Janus Friis.
Analysts say Skype's acquisition would give Microsoft arecognised brand name in the online world as the company seeks to shift away from its core Windows business.
They say Skype will give Microsoft a boost in theenterprise collaboration market through Skype's voice, video and sharing capabilities.
Others are speculating that Microsoft is planning to integrate Skype with Windows Phone 7 to compete with Google's internet telephony service, Google Voice.
Skype filed for a proposed initial public offering (IPO) of its ordinary shares in August 2010, but put the plans on hold after appointing chief executive Tony Bates in October.
The company is currently owned by an investor group led by Silver Lake, which includes eBay and Skype founders Niklas Zennstromand Janus Friis.
Analysts say Skype's acquisition would give Microsoft arecognised brand name in the online world as the company seeks to shift away from its core Windows business.
Others are speculating that Microsoft is planning to integrate Skype with Windows Phone 7 to compete with Google's internet telephony service, Google Voice.
