Facebook (or Google) Is Buying Skype (Maybe)

According to reports, Facebook is about to buy Skype, the popular free/cheap VoIP internet phone service. The selling price? Close to $4 billion buckaroos! But some insiders believe that it may really be a joint venture deal instead of an outright buyout.

Google also is apparently trying to buy or enter into a JV deal with the company.

Skype and Facebook have had a relationship for some time now. In fact, Facebook social networking features have been built into Skype since version 5.0 was released. Fully integrating Skype functionality into their site could allow Facebook to dominate the social networking landscape even more.

Google is fighting valiantly to get a foothold in the social networking/social communication arena. Getting Skype could definitely help them make some big moves, especially as more and more people around the world begin using the internet to make low-cost and even free phone calls!

Learn some mo': Facebook and Google consider buying or partnering with Skype, report says