Skype Wi-Fi will not be accessible after March 31. Users will not be able to download the Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)-owned service, which has been connecting millions of people through voice and video calls over the internet. It has been very handy for the roaming users but they will now have to opt for the over 2 million hotspots around the world. However, the hotspots will accept payment using Skype Credit.
A comment of confirmation from the company states, “We’re retiring Skype Wi-Fi globally so we can better focus our efforts on bringing you the best possible experience through our core Skype features.”
The tech giant is taking up an upgraded initiative
Skype is one Microsoft’s business units. However, a while back the company insinuated its desire to offer a better Wi-Fi service that would accommodate both consumers and business customers. The approach to this remains unclear given that its Microsoft Wi-Fi app is in exclusive use on Windows 10 PCs.
So the question that needs answering is, how possible is it that Skype Wi-Fi is being phased out to enhance the popularity for Microsoft Wi-Fi? Nonetheless, the company could also choose to retain the Microsoft Wi-Fi in the protection of its existing relationships with hot spot operators.
Skype WiFi service had more or less gone to seed
In the recent years, the Skype WiFi service has not been having a lot of fanfare. In fact, there are no figures as to how many people have been using it. There has been a general shift in the market, which may have resulted in the closure of Microsoft’s Skype’s London office in September last year.
Microsoft had acquired Skype in May 2011 at a cost of $8.5 billion in cash. However, it is not as necessary as it might have been in the past. This is perhaps as a result of the availability of tethering from one’s device whenever there is the need for internet access. In fact, the use of mobile data is currently faster and cheaper than it used to be.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s stock closed at $63.98 a fall of $0.25 or 0.39%.
