"Microsoft" Corp., the world"s largest maker of software, has completed the acquisition of internet telephony company "Skype Technologies" SA, for 8.5 billion dollars, making it the biggest acquisition ever made by the American giant.
"Skype" CEO, Tony Bates, will lead the "Skype" division at "Microsoft".
"Skype is a brand valued by hundreds of million of people all over the world. We are going to work with the Skype team on creating new ways for users to stay connected anytime anywhere with their family, friends, customers or colleagues", Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said.
Skype - created in 2003 - has more than 500 million users, of which 170 million are active.
In May, "Microsoft" decided to buy "Skype", a company headquartered in Luxemburg. The European Union recently gave its approval for this takeover, stating that it would not affect competition in the field.