The European Commission has, after investigation, decided to grant permission for the acquisition of Skype by Microsoft. According to the EU, the competition is not impeded, because there are still plenty of other market participants.
On the consumer market, Microsoft would, for example, competitors have to endure, of Google, reported the European Commission in a statement. That is why the EU is the acquisition of Skype by Microsoft. Google also offers chat and video services with its Talk application.
The American marktwaakhond FCC gave already permission for the acquisition. It is suspected that the European Commission would go along with the decision of the American agency, although the Italian voip provider Messagenet, submitted a complaint to the European competition authority.
Microsoft took over Skype in the beginning of this year for a sum of 8.5 billion dollars and brings the voip service in a new department: the Microsoft Skype Division. The current ceo of Skype, Tony Bates, will be the new division lead. The software is likely to be closely integrated into Microsoft products such as Windows Phone and Xbox Live.