History of Skype
Skype was created in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, in collaboration with a group of
Estonian developers. It began as a peer-to-peer voice calling application that allowed users to make
free voice calls over the internet. This innovative approach quickly gained popularity as it made
international communication more accessible and affordable. Skype expanded its features to include
video calling, instant messaging, and file sharing, making it a versatile communication tool for
both personal and professional use.
In 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion,
integrating it into its product ecosystem, including Windows and Microsoft Office. Under Microsoft’s
ownership, Skype underwent several updates, shifting from a peer-to-peer infrastructure to a
cloud-based one for better reliability and scalability. Despite the rise of competing platforms like
Zoom and Microsoft Teams, Skype remains an important part of digital communication history, known
for revolutionizing how people connect globally.