Report: EBay may buy Skype for $2 billion to $3 billion
In a move that could mark a big strategy shift for the online auction company, eBay Inc. is in talks to acquire Internet telephony company Skype Technologies SA for between US$2 billion and $3 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, quoting unnamed sources familiar with the talks.
The talks are at an early stage and could still fall apart, according to one person briefed on the matter, the Journal reported.
Skype has talked with a few other interested buyers, including News Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc., the newspaper said, but none of these talks have led to deals.
The Luxembourg-based company, which provides a free VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) service in addition to several premium services, is also considering an IPO (initial public offering).
As the core business of eBay -- online auction sales -- matures, the company has been looking to expand into new product areas and international markets, according to the WSJ report.
IDG News Service
Sign up for ITworld's Daily newsletter
Follow ITworld on Twitter @IT_world
jfruh
Apple syncing patent can't come soon enough
pasmith
New Twitter features borrow from 3rd party clients
Esther Schindler
Open Source Changes the Software Acquisition Process
mikelgan
How to set up continuous podcast play on the new iTunes
David Strom
Five important Windows 7 mobility features
sjvn
Guard your Wi-Fi for your own sake
Sandra Henry-Stocker
Grepping on Whole Words
Sidekick: The Good News & the Bad News
Either way you look at it Microsoft Data Center management did not follow standards or best practices in this failure. In which case it makes me wonder more about the outsourcing of corporate data much less personal data.
- mburton325
Join the conversation here
Quick, practical advice for IT pros. Made fresh daily.
Want to cash in on your IT savvy? Send your tip to tips@itworld.com. If we post it, we'll send you a $25 Amazon e-gift card.













