English Reading Practice
(March 1, 2025)
Microsoft has announced that it will retire its Skype service on May 5, 2025, directing users to transition to Microsoft Teams. This strategic move aims to streamline Microsoft's communication platforms, focusing on Teams to offer a unified experience for both personal and professional users.
Existing Skype users can migrate to the free version of Teams using their current credentials, retaining contacts and chat histories. The free version of Teams supports chats, voice calls, and video meetings, with limitations of up to 20 participants per call, 60-minute group calls, and 5GB of storage. For additional features, such as meeting recordings, users can opt for paid plans starting at 4 USD per month, billed annually.
This transition marks the end of Skype's 21-year presence in digital communication, a service Microsoft acquired in 2011 for $8.5 billion. The decision reflects the evolving landscape of communication tools and Microsoft's commitment to adapting to customer needs by bringing together all their services under the more versatile Teams platform.
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