Skype Technologies

Skype Technologies S.A.R.L. (also known as Skype Software S.A.R.L., Skype Inc., Skype Communications S.A.R.L., and Skype Limited) is a Luxembourger telecommunications company headquartered in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, whose chief product is the video chat and instant messaging computer software program Skype. Microsoft purchased the company in May 2011 for $8.5 billion, and it has since operated as their wholly owned subsidiary; as of 2016, it is operating as part of Microsoft's Office Product Group.

Skype, a voice over IP (VoIP) service, was first released in 2003 as a way to make free computer-to-computer calls, or reduced-rate calls from a computer to telephones. Support for paid services such as calling landline/mobile phones from Skype (formerly called SkypeOut), allowing landline/mobile phones to call Skype (formerly called SkypeIn and now Skype Number), and voice messaging generates the majority of Skype's revenue.