Summary

Original source:
http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20051017.gtrskype17/BNStory/Technology/

Details

• Internet phone-calling phenomenon Skype Technologies SA, which was bought by on-line auction company eBay Inc. for almost $4-billion (U.S.) last week, said it sees computer giant Microsoft Corp. as one of its biggest potential rivals.
• "I think the biggest threat to us is companies like Microsoft, Yahoo and Time Warner's AOL, because their customer base is so big," Skype's chief executive officer and co-founder Niklas Zennstroem told a conference yesterday.
• Microsoft bought Teleo in August and Yahoo bought Dialpad earlier in the year in efforts to catch up with Skype's lead in the booming voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) market.
• Luxembourg-based Skype offers free computer-to-computer calls between Skype users.
• It charges for calls made from or to numbers outside the network.
• EBay is paying $2.5-billion plus another possible $1.4-billion if certain targets are met for Skype, which will allow it to add free Web telephone calls to its on-line auctions, smoothing the way for more deals to go through.
• Mr. Zennstroem said he had thought long and hard about the sale to eBay and had talked to other potential buyers as well as considering an initial public offering before plumping for eBay, which promised Skype the most autonomy.
• "EBay had a good record, especially with PayPal," said Mr. Zennstroem, referring to the on-line payment company eBay bought in 2002.
• "They don't want to disintegrate the company.
• They'll nourish it and allow it to grow."
• Mr. Zennstroem confirmed that he had talks with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. before deciding to go with eBay.
• "We had meetings with a lot of companies.
• Mr. Zennstroem said he saw growth possibilities in facilitating such services as live on-line translation.
• "I'm convinced that over time pretty much all voice communication will be over the Internet.
• In a few years' time the idea of paying for phone calls will seem very strange."

Related Articles

Popular Topics: Skype, Ebay, Microsoft, Diabetes, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/008174_Skype_Ebay_Microsoft.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial use OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/008174_Skype_Ebay_Microsoft.html">Skype discusses its biggest potential rivals</a>
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber! Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more. Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.	Your Email Address: Free Subscription Code: Enter the numbers you see: 100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime. Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.
Recommended Special Report: Seven Words that can Change the World by Joseph R. Simonetta Read this special report now... "Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com	More on NaturalNews.com: • Streaming Health Ranger Videos • CounterThink Cartoons • FREE Special Reports • Podcasts