Northeast Diary
New Delhi, February 28 — Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of Skype, the once-popular video and voice calling service, marking the end of an era for millions of users worldwide.
The company confirmed that Skype will be officially shut down in few months time, with users being encouraged to transition to Microsoft Teams as part of the shift to more professional and integrated communication tools.
The decision to shut down Skype comes as part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to streamline its communication platforms, focusing on the growing adoption of Microsoft Teams in both personal and professional environments.
Microsoft Teams, which was initially designed for enterprise use, has increasingly been adopted for personal use as well, offering users features such as chat, video calls, file sharing, and collaboration tools in one platform.
While Skype was once a leader in the video calling and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) space, with a user base of over 300 million monthly active users, its market share has been steadily declining in recent years, largely due to competition from services like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Microsoft Teams itself.
“We are excited to transition our users to Microsoft Teams, a more robust and secure platform that aligns with today’s communication needs,” said a Microsoft spokesperson. “We want to ensure that our customers have access to the best tools for both personal and professional collaboration.”
For many, Skype’s legacy includes being the first widely accessible platform for voice and video calls over the internet, revolutionizing how people across the globe connected.
Since its launch in 2003, Skype became synonymous with international calling, messaging, and conference calls, paving the way for the modern communication tools we use today. Despite the move to shut down Skype, Microsoft has assured that it will support the platform until its closure, with continued updates and support for users during the transition period.
Microsoft also announced that users will be able to migrate their contacts and chat history to Microsoft Teams before Skype’s official shutdown. This decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some long-time Skype users expressing disappointment over the loss of a familiar tool, while others have embraced Microsoft’s move towards consolidating communication tools under Teams.
As the deadline for Skype’s shutdown looms, users are encouraged to explore alternatives, including Microsoft Teams, to continue their video calling and messaging needs. The transition will gradually unfold over the next two years, with more information expected to be shared in the coming months.
