Skype is a software application that allows users to instant message, make voice, video, or conference calls, share their computer screens, and send files and photos to others over the wired or mobile Internet. Calls and messaging to other Skype users are always free and calling others that have landline or mobile phone service requires a low-cost pay as you go or monthly subscription. The company is reportedly planning to go public and is looking to raise $100 million through an IPO on the NASDAQ.
This voice over IP (VoIP) company was founded in 2003 by Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom. The two owners sold Skype to eBay in 2005 for almost $25 billion. The online auction company did not profit from this purchase as much as it hoped. In 2009, it sold a 70 percent controlling share of Skype, keeping only 30 percent.
An investor group owns 56 percent of the company and includes Marc Andreesen, Netscape founder, and Silver Lake Partners, a private equity fund. Andreessen Horowitz and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board are other partners in the investor group. The company founders acquired the remaining 14 percent of the shares.
The statistics regarding Skype are impressive, including the fact that 12 percent of worldwide international calling minutes are made using Skype. Currently, the company reports 560 million users and latest figures for January through June 2010 are that 95 billion video and speaking minutes were used. During peak usage times, there are as many as 23 million Skype users online.
Skype software can be accessed from home computers, laptops, tablets, and cell phones with wireless internet. The Luxembourg-headquartered company has not yet officially announced any plans for an IPO. Therefore, it is unknown at this time when and where shares might be sold or at what price they may be offered.
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3.5mm Headphone Earphone Stereo w Microphone for Skype $10.58 |
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3.5mm Mini Mic Plug-on for Laptop Skype Voice Recording $7.28 |
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Black 3.5mm Plug Desktop Multimedia Microphone for Skype Online Chat $9.44 |
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New USB VOIP HANDSET PC Internet Skype Phone Telephone for PC M $8.88 |
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New logitech C920 HD Pro Webcam 1080p with video Skype chat for PC $91.99 |
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10.2" Google Android 2.3 Tablet MID PC WIFI GPS G-Sensor 512M 4GB Support Skype $145.25 |
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HEADSET HEADPHONE MICROPHONE W/ MIC FOR VOIP SKYPE PC $2.53 |
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Lumens DC235 Ladibug Visual Presenter, Zoom 5x-40x, SXGA,Use Web Cam for Skype $350.00 |
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Skinflips iPhone 4 Skype skin, NEW $9.99 |
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Optical USB Skype Mouse $34.54 |
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USB LCD Internet VOIP Phone Telephone Handset Call world For Skype $15.99 |
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LOGITECH INTERNET SKYPE VIDEO CHAT GAMING HEADSET $7.23 |
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NEW 2012 VG-STC2000 Genuine SAMSUNG 3D Smart TV Skype Web Camera Dual hinge USB $158.99 |
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WEBCAM WEB CAM +MICROPHONE FOR PC LAPTOP VISTA SKYPE $6.24 |
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Statistics Tutor via skype or email!! $11.99 |
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Logitech QuickCam Chat for Skype Web Cam $10.00 |
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Skype MSN Hands Free Headphone Headset Microphone A1 $2.26 |
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PC Computer Headset/Headphone + Micro for MSN Skype S $2.45 |
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5.0M USB 6-LED Webcam Camera w/ MIC PC Lap. Skype $5.33 |
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PC Computer Laptop USB 30M HD Webcam Web Cam Camera+Microphone Mic For Skype MSN $0.99 |
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Headphone VOIP Headset with MIC for PC SkyPe Earphone $3.92 |
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3.5mm Microphone Headphone Headset MSN Skype Talk Silver For PC Laptop/Notebook $0.22 |
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PC Internet Headset Microphone Earphone MIC for Skype $1.76 |
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