Skype - Two weeks after the buy out

Since Skype was bought 2 weeks ago, i have already noticed quite a number changes at Skype in a relatively short period of time. Not sure if these were all initiated after the purchase but still.....

First of all, friday the Skype Extras program was stopped. A mail was sent last friday (11 September) that effective 11 September (yes the same day) the extras program would be cancelled and removed from the website. Thats like a few hours warning. Not a big deal, but strange. I am assuming that they will relaunch it in another form requiring some testing or membership fee.

There are things happening in the Skype for SIP program. The website has been updated and there now is a official certification program - run by a third party testing company. But there is now also a charge for Skype for SIP PER CHANNEL. 20 euros per channel whereby each channel supports 2 calls. It goes down as you order more channels, but it sounds pretty steep to me.

I have also heard on the grape vine that Skype is on a drive to move "worthwhile" customers from pre paid to post paid.

All in All there is change in the air, and change driving towards more aggresively capturing revenue. The venture capitalist's signature is unmistakable. That can be a good thing if it turns Skype in a leading global low cost telecom provider. Of course it will have to meet the expectations along the way.......

Breaking news: Skype sold for 2.75 billion

Skype has just been sold in a deal valued 2.75 billion. Buyers are a group of investors. They are buying a company that is growing rapidly with more then $550 million in sales this year alone. At a little more then 5 times revenue, with a growing user base and a strong brand, I think its an interesting investment. At the same time, selling Skype will be a relief for Ebay. Ebay and Skype we're just never a good fit. Ebay will still keep 35% of the business, that is to say they get a cash pay out of $1.9 billion.

I am intrigued to see how the new owners will deal with the original Skype founders. And then of course what their vision will be for the Skype service. (beyond making lots of money in the short term which is what investors tend to focus on :-) )

Interesting days/months ahead for the entire VoIP / telco business!