Is Skype Up for Sale?

Though the internet phone service is currently planning to float an IPO later this year, it does not mean that there is any dearth of suitors trying to woo this firm. Apparently, both Google and Facebook have evinced their interest in the company, which may ultimately be valued anywhere between $3 billion to $4 billion. If the rumors indeed turn out to be true, then it will mean more delay in the IPO.

It may look like that Facebook and Google are planning to buy the firm outright, but some insider sources have claimed that the firms may eventually form a joint venture or any other such combination. This scenario seems more plausible since Google already has its G-Talk program which is in no way inferior to Skype. However, Skype has a massive user base of more than 500 million and this is a healthy number which may help Google in further expanding its targeting ad business.

Facebook, on the other hand, has more attractive reasons to collaborate with Skype. It can easily be integrated with the social networking site and for all of us, who have had enough of wall posts and status updates would then be able to do it via voice. Though, current version of Skype lets you call your Facebook friends but it does not have video chat facility. Facebook is already emerging as a threat for Google and if this combination works out and the social networking site gets video chat boost, then we can expect the things to get really hot in there.

Skype had been delaying its IPO for quite some time, and this is yet another indication that the company has some alternative plans. Since, none of the company has made any remark with regard to these rumors, it seems like we will have to wait for some time to get some concrete news.