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Skype originally featured a hybrid peer-to-peer and client–server system. As of 2011, most of the development team and 44% of all the division's employees were in Tallinn and Tartu, Estonia. In May 2011, Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5 billion and used it to replace their Windows Live Messenger. In September 2009, Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz, and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought 65% of Skype for $1.9 billion from eBay, valuing the business at $2.92 billion. In September 2005, eBay acquired Skype for $2.6 billion. Skype was created by Niklas Zennström, Janus Friis, and four Estonian developers and first released in August 2003. Skype is available on various desktop, mobile, and video game console platforms.
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It also has instant messaging, file transfer, debit-based calls to landline and mobile telephones (over traditional telephone networks), and other features. Skype ( / s k aɪ p/) is a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, a division of Microsoft, best known for VoIP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. Videoconferencing, VoIP and Instant messaging Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, iPadOS, HoloLens, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
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