eBay received approximately $1.9 billion in cash and a note from the buyer in the principal amount of $125 million. The company retained an approximately 30 percent equity investment in Skype. The company also purchased a note from the buyer in the principal amount of $50 million.
Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) connects hundreds of millions of buyers and sellers globally on a daily basis through eBay, the world's largest online marketplace, and PayPal, which enables individuals and businesses to securely, easily and quickly send and receive online payments. We also reach millions through specialized marketplaces such as StubHub, the world's largest ticket marketplace, and eBay Classifieds sites, which together have a presence in more than 1,000 cities around the world. For more information about the company and our global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.
Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Every day, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating to eBay’s future performance that are based on its current expectations, forecasts and assumptions. Those statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the anticipated continuation of Skype’s growth and the potential longer-term value of Skype.
More information about factors that could affect eBay’s operating results can be found in the company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and its subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (available at http://investor.ebayinc.com). All forward-looking statements are based on information available to eBay on the date hereof, and eBay assumes no obligation to update such statements.
John Pluhowski, eBay Inc.
jpluhowski@ebay.com
Media hotline: (408)376-7458
Mike Buckley/Anisha Patel, Brunswick Communications
(415) 293-8461
Tracey Ford, eBay Inc.
tford@ebay.com
(408) 376-7205
Rosenberg brings with him a wealth of industry experience. He is most well known as the co-author of the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and has authored many of the standards that are in wide use today within the telecommunications industry. Prior to joining Skype, Rosenberg was a Cisco Fellow at Cisco Systems, where he directed technology strategy for its enterprise voice product portfolio. Before that, he was CTO of dynamicsoft, one of the industry's first VoIP technology companies. In that role, he helped build products and networks for several of the earliest VoIP deployments. Rosenberg has received many industry accolades for his role as a pioneer and innovator in telephony.
Rosenberg will be based in the U.S and will work with Skype's engineering teams worldwide.
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
]]>As part of the settlement agreement, Joltid and Skype founders Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis will join the investor group, contributing Joltid software and making a significant capital investment in exchange for a 14 percent stake in Skype. As a result, Silver Lake and other investors including Andreessen Horowitz and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), will together hold 56 percent of Skype and eBay will retain 30 percent. As previously announced, eBay will receive approximately $1.9 billion in cash upon the completion of the sale and a note from the buyer in the principal amount of $125 million. The deal, which values Skype at $2.75 billion and is not subject to a financing condition, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2009.
“Skype will be well positioned to move forward under new owners with ownership and control over its core technology,” said eBay Inc. President and CEO John Donahoe. “At the same time, eBay continues to retain a significant stake in Skype and will benefit from its continued growth. We look forward to closing the deal and focusing on growing our core ecommerce and payments businesses.”
Commenting on the agreement on behalf of the investor group, Silver Lake Managing Director Egon Durban said: “We are very pleased to have the litigation resolved. We remain confident in a great future for Skype, and we look forward to working with Niklas, Janus and the other investors as partners to help the company achieve its full potential.”
The investor group will no longer include Index Ventures, which has withdrawn from participation. Commenting on its decision to withdraw, Danny Rimer of Index Ventures, said: “We are pleased that Skype will now be able to put litigation behind it, and we wish Josh Silverman, his team and the Skype investors well in continuing to grow a great business. Although Skype has the potential to be a great investment, the deal terms changed for Index such that it no longer matches our investment criteria and thus we have decided not to participate in the transaction.”
Founded in 1995, eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) connects hundreds of millions of people around the world every day, empowering them to explore new opportunities and innovate together. eBay does this by providing the Internet platforms of choice for global commerce, payments and communications. Since its inception, eBay has expanded to include some of the strongest brands in the world, including eBay, PayPal, Skype, StubHub, Shopping.com, and others. eBay is headquartered in San Jose, California. For more information, please visit www.ebay.com.
Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Every day, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating to eBay's future performance that are based on its current expectations, forecasts and assumptions. Those statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the receipt and timing of regulatory approval for the transaction; the possibility that the transaction may not close; the reaction of consumers and Skype’s users and commercial partners to the transaction; the reaction of competitors to the transaction; the anticipated continuation of Skype’s growth; and the potential longer-term value of Skype.
More information about factors that could affect eBay's operating results can be found in the company's most recent annual report on its Form 10-K and its subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (available at http://investor.ebayinc.com). All forward-looking statements are based on information available to eBay on the date hereof, and eBay assumes no obligation to update such statements.
Alan Marks, eBay Inc.
(408) 425-9539
amarks@ebay.com
Mike Buckley/Anisha Patel, Brunswick
(415) 671-7676
Unable to embark on her regular worldwide promotional tours this year due the arrival of her first baby this autumn, HarperCollins and Skype are bringing Cecelia together with her fans through real-time Skype video. Cecelia will join events live from her home in Dublin and will appear on screens at selected retailers in central city locations. Events will range from celebrity-hosted evenings to invite-only retailer events. Fans will be able to speak to Cecelia and buy pre-signed copies of her new books. The tour kicks off with an event at the new Liverpool Waterstones store on Friday 13th November with further events scheduled in Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Sydney and Singapore.
Cecelia Ahern has sold 12 million books in over 48 countries in only five years. At 28, she is one of the biggest success stories in commercial fiction. She is also the creator of the successful TV drama series, Samantha Who?
Kate Fitzpatrick, Digital Marketing Manager says: "Our partnership with Skype has given Cecelia a fantastic opportunity to reach her fans in all corners of the globe at a time when she is unable to travel. As a first truly international PR event for HarperCollins the use of Skype has proved that distance doesn't have to be a barrier for fans to engage and interact with their favourite authors."
"Skype is delighted to make it possible for Cecelia to connect in a meaningful way with her fans even though she can't be with them in person," said Jonathan Watson, Skype's marketing manager. "We hope this is first of many virtual book tours we will facilitate with Harper Collins."
Schedule of events:
HarperCollins UK publishes a wide range of books, from cutting-edge contemporary fiction, to block-busting thrillers, from fantasy literature and children's books to enduring classics. It also publishes a great selection of non-fiction titles, including history, celebrity memoirs, biographies, popular science, dictionaries, maps, reference titles and education books, and its digital business is thriving. With nearly 200 years of history HarperCollins publishes some of the world's foremost authors, from Nobel prizewinners to worldwide bestsellers. In addition it publishes the works of Agatha Christie, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. It was the first major UK trade publisher to go carbon neutral in December 2007.
HC UK and International is responsible for the UK and Ireland, India, Australia and New Zealand and is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, one of the leading English-language book publishers in the world. HarperCollins Publishers is a wholly-owned division of News Corporation, the media conglomerate and parent of Times Newspapers Ltd, British Sky Broadcasting and Twentieth Century Fox.
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
]]>
LUXEMBOURG, October 23, 2009 -- Skype today announced the selection of Net-Net® OS-Enterprise (OS-E) session border controllers from Acme Packet® (NASDAQ: APKT) for its Skype for SIP beta offering. Acme Packet is the leader in session border control (SBC) solutions and the sole SBC partner for the Skype for SIP beta program.
Skype's deployment of Acme Packet's SBC simplifies the interoperability and feature compatibility of the Skype for SIP beta offering with enterprise IP-PBX equipment and next-generation unified communications (UC) platforms which utilize the SIP standard. As a result, Skype for SIP will allow those enterprises with an on-premise IP PBX to take advantage of an innovative IP-enabled communications tool and to benefit from end-to-end interoperability. The implementation of an SBC by Skype as part of the Skype for SIP beta program also enables the delivery of high-quality, real-time interactive communications, while minimizing the exposure to risks for those companies who sign up for the trial.
"Deploying session border controllers from Acme Packet will help ensure interoperability between Skype for SIP and native SIP or SIP-enabled PBXs from leading hardware manufacturers," said Stefan Oberg, VP and General Manager of Skype for Business. "This step simplifies our interoperability testing process and makes it easier for us to begin rolling out Skype for SIP to the many interested organizations. Furthermore, by using the Acme Packet SBC in conjunction with the Skype for SIP certification program, potential customers with PBXs that have already been certified as interoperable can be assured that their existing systems will be fully compatible with Skype for SIP."
Skype for SIP will allow many companies to reduce their costs by making outbound calls to landlines and mobiles worldwide at low Skype rates from devices connected to their existing SIP-enabled PBX systems. It will also allow organizations to receive inbound voice calls to their PBX from the more than 400 million registered Skype users around the world via a global click-to-call button on their Web site. In addition, if they buy and associate local online numbers with their PBX, they can receive inbound calls to the PBX from landline and mobile phones via Skype.
"The ability for Skype to seamlessly integrate with existing IP PBX and UC platforms is a critical business requirement for enterprise customers," said Andy Ory, president, CEO and co-founder of Acme Packet. "To satisfy this requirement, Skype is leveraging our extensive, large-scale deployment experience making interactive IP communications work between heterogeneous networks, vendors and products."
For more information on Skype for SIP, please visit www.skypeforsip.com.
About Acme Packet, Inc.
Acme Packet, Inc. (NASDAQ: APKT), the leader in session border control solutions, enables the delivery of trusted, first-class interactive communications--voice, video and multimedia sessions--and data services across IP network borders. Our Net-Net family of session border controllers, multiservice security gateways and session routing proxies supports multiple applications in service provider, enterprise and contact center networks--from VoIP trunking to hosted enterprise and residential services to fixed-mobile convergence. They satisfy critical security, service assurance and regulatory requirements in wireline, cable and wireless networks; and support multiple protocols--SIP, H.323, MGCP/NCS, H.248 and RTSP--and multiple border points--service provider access and interconnect, and enterprise access and trunking. Our products have been selected by more than 830 customers in 95 countries. They include 48 of the top 50, and 89 of the top 100 service providers in the world; and 8 of the Fortune 25. For more information, contact us at +1 781.328.4400, or visit www.acmepacket.com.
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling. Skype for SIP is meant to complement existing traditional telephone services used with a corporate PBX, not as a stand-alone solution. Skype for SIP users need to ensure all calls to emergency services are terminated through traditional telephone services.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
LUXEMBOURG/LONDON, October 6, 2009 — Skype today announced a new business funded click-to-call product and a strategic partnership with European Directories that will turn online search for businesses into calls for businesses.
]]> Skype's business funded click-to-call delivers great value and convenience by making it easier and free for consumers who are using Skype to call local businesses they search for anywhere on the internet. A call that is funded by a business will be highlighted with a blue "Free Call" button that appears anywhere online where a phone number is displayed, including search engines, internet yellow pages or local search sites. This automatic phone number recognition allows Skype's more than 480 million registered users to call a participating business for free. Calls that are not funded by a business can still be connected via Skype, but at a low cost charged to the Skype user.
The partnership between Skype and European Directories will offer consumers free calls to up to 700,000 businesses across Europe. Participating European Directories advertisers will have the opportunity to be highlighted with Skype's blue "Free Call" button anywhere their number appears on the internet.
"Partnering with European Directories is a key part of bringing our new business funded click-to-call product to market and providing advertisers with solutions that can help them connect with customers in new and innovative ways," said Don Albert, GM and VP of Americas and Advertising for Skype. "When a call is free and only one click away, we believe it can have a positive impact for a business because there are fewer barriers to start a call. That can result in more qualified leads, more engagement, and possibly a higher rate of conversion for a business."
"This partnership is a great example of our evolution from a print centric company to one truly focused on lead generation. By working with Skype, European Directories can now offer its advertisers leads from yet another source in addition to existing channels such as mobile applications, print publications, our own online search sites and those of our partners. The new Skype 'Free Call' button will turn search for businesses into calls and leads for businesses. It will make our advertisers stand out from competition everywhere on the internet, including in search engines," said Cornel Riklin, CEO of European Directories.
"Skype is in a unique position with more than 480 million global subscribers that use it to make free and cheap calls," said Michael Boland, Analyst and Program Director for BIA/Kelsey. "Working with European Directories to drive calls to its local advertisers is a natural extension, and a revenue diversification move that taps into the $31 billion global Yellow Pages market."
Skype's business funded click-to-call product requires a user to have the latest version of Skype for Windows 4.1 and the latest Skype browser plug-ins in order for the blue "Free Call" button to be displayed. To download Skype for Windows 4.1, visit http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/.
About European Directories
European Directories is a geographically diversified lead generation group, holding a leading position in The Netherlands, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, Sweden, Gibraltar and Slovakia. We have around 4,500 employees and over 700,000 customers. European Directories delivers leads to advertisers through local search services delivered via print, online, mobile, search engine marketing, affiliate marketing and RFP / RFQ services. Day-to-day operations are conducted at a country level by local operating companies. A small group office located in London co-ordinates key initiatives across the group and promotes best-practice amongst the operating companies. For more information, visit www.europeandirectories.com.
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
]]>LUXEMBOURG, 23 September 2009 — Skype today announced that the beta version of Skype for SIP has been certified as interoperable with the Cisco® Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business. This will enable small and medium-sized businesses who manage their networking and communications needs with this affordable UC solution to communicate more efficiently by directing their outbound calls to mobiles and landlines via Skype, while also allowing them to receive inbound calls from Skype users.
]]> “In today’s tough economy, executives of smart small and medium-sized companies realize that effective communications with customers, partners and employees are a key to helping them grow their business,” said Stefan Oberg, VP and General Manager of Skype for Business. “By certifying Skype for SIP as interoperable with the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series, we are providing a single offering that will help many SMBs around the globe save money, save time and stay ahead of the competition.”Interoperability with Skype for SIP means that small businesses can take advantage of the cost savings provided by Skype’s low-cost global calling rates when their employees call landlines and mobiles around the world. A company can also receive inbound voice calls from any of the more than 480 million registered Skype users around the world via a global click-to-call button on its Web site. These Skype calls are received in the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series solution and can be handled or directed in the same way as any other inbound caller. In addition, if a company buys and associates online Skype numbers with their Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series solution, it can then receive inbound calls via Skype from business contacts and customers calling from landline and mobile phones.
“Cisco is committed to delivering easy-to-use technology to small businesses to help them run their business better and gain a competitive advantage,” said Mark Monday, vice president and general manager, Small Business Solutions business unit, Cisco. “We are excited about Skype for SIP interoperability since it adds a very cost-effective choice to the many other options within the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series.”
The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series platform is part of Cisco’s Smart Business Communications System which continues to expand having just added a new set of IP phones with high definition audio, a unified threat management device as well as support for third party application integration, including products from healthcare, automotive and insurance industries.
Certification testing of Skype for SIP with the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business was conducted by tekVizion Labs™, an independent test facility in Richardson, Texas, which specializes in IP communications interoperability testing.
Cisco VARs will need to register for the Skype Service Partner Program and pass an online certification exam to qualify to configure the Cisco solution to support Skype for SIP, as well as to support those business customers who may already be using the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business and want to integrate Skype for SIP into their present communications solution.
For more information on Skype for SIP, please visit skypeforsip.com. VARs, system integrators and consultants who are interested in getting more information about the Skype Service Partner Program can register their interest to learn more and stay ahead of the competition at www.skype.com/go/servicepartnerprogram.
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling. Skype for SIP is meant to complement existing traditional telephone services used with a corporate PBX, not as a stand-alone solution. Skype for SIP users need to ensure all calls to emergency services are terminated through traditional telephone services.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the ‘S’ symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
]]>LUXEMBOURG, 17 September 2009 — Skype and SIPfoundry, (www.sipfoundry.org), a not-for-profit open source community, today announced that sipXecs, its open source enterprise IP PBX unified communications (UC) solution, has now been certified as interoperable with Skype for SIP. This will enable many organizations running a sipXecs IP PBX solution to save money by directing their outbound calls to mobiles and landlines via Skype, while also enabling them to receive inbound calls from Skype users.
]]> "At a time where small and medium-sized businesses are dealing with tighter budgets, many of them are considering open source alternatives to traditional IP PBX systems," said Stefan Oberg, VP and General Manager of Skype for Business. "By certifying sipXecs as interoperable with Skype for SIP, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to open source and standards like SIP and SIPconnect. Furthermore, we are giving IT administrators the opportunity to leverage a very cost-effective solution, combining the low upfront cost of an open source IP PBX with the low-cost global calling rates that Skype is known for."Interoperability with Skype for SIP means that businesses which have deployed native SIP or SIP-enabled PBXes, like the sipXecs IP PBX solution, can take advantage of the cost savings provided by Skype's low-cost global calling rates when their employees call landlines and mobiles around the world. In addition, companies running a sipXecs IP PBX can be called directly by any of the more than 400 million registered Skype users who might click on the Skype button that has been placed on its corporate Web site(s). These Skype calls are then received through the existing PBX and can be handled or directed in the same way as any other inbound caller. Companies can also choose to purchase an online Skype number. This will enable them to receive calls via Skype from business contacts and customers calling from traditional fixed lines or mobile phones.
"Achieving interoperability with Skype for SIP means it is now easy for companies that deploy the sipXecs IP PBX solution to route their outbound calls via Skype," said Martin J. Steinmann, member of the board of directors at SIPfoundry. "The ability for the many companies around the globe that are already using a sipXecs IP PBX system to now get the many benefits which Skype for SIP delivers further enhances the ease-of-use and low total cost of ownership of our open source solution."
Skype for SIP is also interoperable with Nortel's Software Communication System (SCS), a commercial version of the SIPfoundry sipXecs IP PBX unified communications solution that is sold with full commercial support through Nortel, as well as Dell, IBM, and other distribution partners worldwide.
For more information on Skype for SIP, please visit www.skypeforsip.com.
About SIPfoundry
SIPfoundry, a not-for-profit organization, was founded in 2004 to promote and advance SIP-related open source projects. The major effort carried out by SIPfoundry is the development of the open source sipXecs IP PBX. Through SIPfoundry, users, developers, and distributors of SIP-based products can utilize open-source materials to accelerate the growth and adoption of SIP. For more information on SIPfoundry, please visit www.sipfoundry.org.
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling. Skype for SIP is meant to complement existing traditional telephone services used with a corporate PBX, not as a stand-alone solution. Skype for SIP users need to ensure all calls to emergency services are terminated through traditional telephone services.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
]]>LUXEMBOURG and SUNNYVALE, Calif., September 9, 2009 -- Skype and ShoreTel, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOR), the leading provider of brilliantly simple IP phone systems with fully integrated Unified Communications (UC), today announced interoperability between ShoreTel's UC system and the beta version of Skype for SIP. ShoreTel is the world's first UC vendor to achieve interoperability with Skype for SIP. The nearly 11,000 ShoreTel enterprise customers can now register to try Skype for SIP in beta, giving them the opportunity to save money, save time and stay ahead by integrating Skype into their communications portfolios.
]]> "By certifying ShoreTel's UC system as interoperable with Skype for SIP, we have made it possible for ShoreTel's business customers to reduce their costs even further, while also enhancing their own business experience through communications," said Stefan Oberg, VP and General Manager of Skype for Business. "Skype for SIP is easy for businesses to configure and manage using Skype's Web-based Business Control Panel (BCP), making it complementary to ShoreTel's UC system, which is renowned for its simplicity."
Skype for SIP allows ShoreTel's business customers and their employees to receive inbound calls through their ShoreTel SIP-enabled UC system from more than 400 million registered Skype users around the world at no cost to the Skype user. In addition, organizations using ShoreTel can reduce their costs further by directing outbound calls from devices connected to the ShoreTel UC system via Skype for SIP to landlines and mobile devices worldwide at low Skype rates. Organizations that use ShoreTel with Skype for SIP may also purchase and associate online Skype numbers, currently available in more than 25 countries, with their ShoreTel UC system to receive inbound calls from landline and mobile phones.
"As part of our ongoing commitment to a standards-based open ecosystem that offers flexibility and choice, we are delivering a significant competitive advantage to ShoreTel customers with the ability to leverage Skype's low-cost calling rates and to create an online presence with a click-to-call button that enables Skype users to call them for free," said John W. Combs, president and CEO at ShoreTel. "The simple-to-configure capabilities of Skype for SIP will further improve the flexibility and efficiency of our customers' operations, while lowering the total cost of ownership even further, and providing the boost in productivity they are used to seeing from ShoreTel's UC systems."
For more information on Skype for SIP and to sign up for the Skype for SIP beta, please visit www.skypeforsip.com.
For detailed information on ShoreTel products and features, please visit www.shoretel.com.
About ShoreTel, Inc.
ShoreTel, Inc., (NASDAQ: SHOR) is the provider of brilliantly simple Unified Communication (UC) solutions based on its award-winning IP business phone system. We offer organizations of all sizes integrated, voice, video, data, and mobile communications on an open, distributed IP architecture that helps significantly reduce the complexity and costs typically associated with other solutions. The feature-rich ShoreTel UC system offers the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) and the highest customer satisfaction in the industry, in part because it is easy to deploy, manage, scale and use. Increasingly, companies around the world are finding a competitive edge by replacing business-as-usual with new thinking, and choosing ShoreTel to handle their integrated business communication. ShoreTel is based in Sunnyvale, California, and has regional offices in Austin, Texas, United Kingdom, Sydney, Australia and Munich, Germany.
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling. Skype for SIP is meant to complement existing traditional telephone services used with a corporate PBX, not as a stand-alone solution. Skype for SIP users need to ensure all calls to emergency services are terminated through traditional telephone services.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
]]>
SAN JOSE, September 9, 2009 - Skype today announced its Skype for iPhone application for iPhone and iPod touch is available on the App Store in Canada. Now iPhone and iPod touch users in Canada can take their Skype conversations with them while mobile.
]]> Features of the Skype for iPhone application include:
- Free Skype-to-Skype calls from any Wi-Fi zone to other Skype users worldwide
- Call landline or mobile phones using Skype's great low rates from any Wi-Fi zone
- Send/receive instant messages to/from individuals or groups via 3G, Wi-Fi or EDGE
- Receive calls to a personal online number on Skype
- See when Skype contacts are online/available to IM or talk
- Call Forwarding
- Voicemail retrieval
- Low-cost SMS messaging
- Availability in non-English languages, including Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish and Traditional Chinese
The Skype for iPhone application requires a Wi-Fi connection to make free Skype-to-Skype calls or low-cost Skype calls to mobiles and landlines. Skype's normal low rates apply if using Skype to call landlines or mobiles. The Skype for iPhone application uses Wi-Fi, 3G or EDGE (based on the fastest connection available) to sign into Skype, update a contact list, maintain and update presence and send/receive instant messages. Skype recommends an unlimited data usage plan for using Skype over a mobile data connection to avoid being charged by a wireless service provider for 3G or EDGE mobile data usage.
Profile pictures of other users in a Skype Contacts list are also visible, making it easy to identify them. In addition, users can update their own Skype profile picture from within the Skype for iPhone application, either by choosing an existing image from a photo album on the device, or by using the iPhone camera to take a new photo.
The Skype for iPhone application is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
LOS ANGELES (Internet Telephony Conference & Expo), September 1, 2009 - Digium®, the Asterisk® Company, and Skype today announced the general availability of Skype for Asterisk. Skype for Asterisk software provides a robust and cost-effective solution for connecting Asterisk-based business phone systems to Skype. Now businesses can take advantage of Skype's low-cost calling to landlines and mobile phones and free calling to more than 400 million registered Skype users around the world.
]]> Digium is the innovative force behind Asterisk, the most widely-used open source telephony platform, downloaded millions of times and used worldwide by software developers, resellers and systems integrators to create flexible, cost-effective phone systems for businesses. Skype allows individuals and businesses to make free voice and video calls, send instant messages, share files over the Internet and make low-cost calls to landlines and mobile phones.
"Digium has been using Skype for Asterisk for the past few months while the product has been in development," said Danny Windham, CEO of Digium. "We created Skype accounts such as Digium Sales and Digium Support--a convention I suspect many companies will quickly adopt. Now, our customers all over the world can call us for free using Skype and our Asterisk PBX processes the inbound call just like it would a normal call. This is going to save Digium and our customers a lot of money."
DATUS Corporation is a Digium Select Partner with nearly four decades of experience designing and implementing communications networks in Germany. The company has nearly completed an Asterisk installation at 2,100 sites for LVM Versicherungen, a major insurance firm, and also works with Digium to design features for Asterisk that are of particular interest to European businesses. "Adding Skype for Asterisk to the DATUS indali OBX, our IP-PBX, will offer our customers inexpensive and secure international calling that, for instance, could be used for toll free customer services," said Jonny Kueppers, vice president of sales and marketing at DATUS. "We believe that the price and cost savings will be welcome with today's budgets."
"The combination of Skype and Asterisk gives those companies that have relied on Skype the advanced call management capabilities of Asterisk, while Asterisk users get free calling to more than 400 million registered Skype users and low Skype rates when calling landlines and mobiles," said Stefan Öberg, vice president and general manager of Skype for Business. "We believe the product will bring together two of the largest groups of users that value flexibility and cost savings in their PBX systems."
Foehn Ltd, Digium's U.K. Solutions Partner, has been designing and implementing Asterisk-based solutions for more than five years. The company's technical director, James Passingham, commented: "With Skype for Asterisk, we can offer our clients even more freedom in business communications. The ability to unlock the lower call costs of Skype provides a huge savings opportunity, especially for those with offices and customers around the globe."
Skype for Asterisk Features
Skype for Asterisk, which is compatible with the free and open source Asterisk versions 1.4, 1.6 and AsteriskNOW™, as well as the commercially licensed Asterisk Business Edition™, is unique in the market today. It is the only solution that integrates directly with Skype, enables multiple concurrent Skype calls from a single Skype account, and supports both G.711 and G.729a calling.
In addition, with the new software, customers can:
- Manage business Skype accounts with the Business Control Panel
- Get low Skype global rates on outbound calls (as low as 2.1US¢ per minute to more than 35 countries worldwide; connection fee and fair usage policies apply)
- Receive inbound calls to online numbers
- Route calls according to Skype profile fields, online status and privacy settings
- Streamline customer contact by allowing Web site visitors to place free Skype calls directly to their business with global click-to-call buttons
Pricing and Availability
Skype for Asterisk is available to download now for $66 USD per concurrent call from http://www.digium.com/skype or from Digium Authorized Resellers and Distributors worldwide. Skype for Asterisk comes with 90 days of installation support from the time of purchase.
About Digium
Digium®, Inc., the Asterisk® Company, created, owns and is the innovative force behind Asterisk, the most widely used open source telephony software. Since its founding in 1999, Digium has become the open source alternative to proprietary communication providers, with offerings that cost as much as 80 percent less. Digium offers Asterisk software free to the open source community and offers Asterisk Business Edition and Switchvox IP PBX software to power a broad family of products for small, medium and large businesses. The company's product line includes a wide range of hardware and software to enable resellers and customers to implement turnkey VoIP systems or to design their own custom telephony solutions. More information is available at www.digium.com.
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling. Skype for Asterisk is meant to complement your existing telephone services.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited. The Digium logo, Digium, Asterisk, Switchvox, Asterisk Business Edition, AsteriskNOW, Asterisk Appliance and the Asterisk logo are trademarks of Digium, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.]]>
SAN JOSE, California, eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Skype communications unit in a deal valuing the business at $2.75 billion. The buyer, who will control an approximately 65 percent stake, is an investor group led by Silver Lake and includes Index Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Investment Board. eBay is expected to receive approximately $1.9 billion in cash upon the completion of the sale and a note from the buyer in the principal amount of $125 million. The company will retain an approximately 35 percent equity investment in Skype. The transaction, which is not subject to a financing condition, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2009.
"This is a great deal, unlocking both immediate and long-term value for eBay and tremendous potential for Skype," said eBay Inc. President and CEO John Donahoe. "We've acted decisively on a deal that delivers a high valuation, gives us significant cash up-front and lets us retain a meaningful minority stake with talented partners. Skype is a strong standalone business, but it does not have synergies with our e-commerce and online payments businesses. As a separate company, we believe that Skype will have the focus required to compete effectively in online voice and video communications and accelerate its growth momentum."
Commenting on the deal, Egon Durban, managing director at Silver Lake, said: "Skype is an innovative, next-generation company that has changed how people and businesses communicate with each other. This transaction benefits all parties involved and will allow Skype the opportunity to accelerate the growth of its business by harnessing the deep technological and company development expertise that resides within the investor group. Josh Silverman has done a strong job leading the company and we look forward to working with Josh and his team to grow the Skype franchise."
In April 2009, eBay announced plans to separate Skype from the company, beginning with an IPO in 2010. The decision followed a year-long review of Skype within eBay's portfolio. As it prepared for an IPO, the company said it would naturally consider bids for Skype that offered an attractive valuation. Donahoe said the deal offered by the investor group achieved that.
"This deal achieves our goal of delivering short- and long-term value to eBay and its stockholders, without the possible delays and market risk of an IPO," Donahoe said. "Selling Skype now at this great valuation, while retaining an equity stake, makes sense for the company. And it allows us to focus all of our energies on the opportunities in front of PayPal and eBay."
Acquired by eBay in 2005, Skype has strengthened considerably since early 2008 when Donahoe was named eBay's CEO and tapped company executive Josh Silverman to lead Skype. Silverman has driven strong momentum while building a new management team and delivering a series of Skype innovations such as software upgrades with dramatically improved video and calling quality, the widely popular Skype iPhone app and mobile partnerships with companies such as Nokia and Hutchison. In 2008, Skype generated revenues of $551 million, a 44 percent increase compared to 2007. Total eBay Inc. revenues for 2008 were $8.5 billion. Registered Skype users reached 405 million by the end of 2008, a 47 percent increase from 2007. Skype is attracting hundreds of thousands of new users each week.
About eBay Inc.
Founded in 1995, eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY) connects hundreds of millions of people around the world every day, empowering them to explore new opportunities and innovate together. eBay does this by providing the Internet platforms of choice for global commerce, payments and communications. Since its inception, eBay has expanded to include some of the strongest brands in the world, including eBay, PayPal, Skype, StubHub, Shopping.com, and others. eBay is headquartered in San Jose, California. For more information, please visit www.ebay.com.
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Every day, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
About Silver Lake
Silver Lake is the leading investment firm focused on large scale investments in technology, technology-enabled, and related growth industries. Silver Lake's mission is to function as a value-added partner to the management teams of the world's leading technology franchises. Its portfolio includes or has included technology industry leaders such as Ameritrade, Avago, Business Objects, Gartner, Instinet, Intelsat, NASDAQ, Sabre / Travelocity, Seagate Technology, SunGard Data Systems and UGS. For more information, please visit www.silverlake.com.
About Index Ventures
Index Ventures is a leading European venture capital firm active in technology, biotech and clean tech venture investing since 1996. The firm is dedicated to helping top entrepreneurial teams in the Information Technology and Life Science sectors build their companies into market defining global leaders. The firm has offices in Geneva, London and Jersey and focuses on investments from seed through growth stage companies. Index's portfolio includes Lehigh Technologies Inc., Playfish and Weatherbill and exits of note include MySQL (the world's most popular open source database recently acquired by Sun), Last.fm (the world's largest social music platform, recently acquired by CBS) and BioXell (BIOX, floated on the SWX in 2007). Index Ventures was one of the original venture capital backers and owners of Skype. For more information, please visit www.indexventures.com.
About Andreessen Horowitz
Andreessen Horowitz was established in June 2009 by entrepreneurs and engineers Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, based on their vision for a new, modern VC firm designed to support today's entrepreneurs. Andreessen and Horowitz have a track record of investing in, building and scaling highly successful businesses. Andreessen Horowitz is based on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California. Mr. Andreessen is a member of eBay's board of directors.
About Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Investment Board
The CPP Investment Board is a professional investment management organization that invests the funds not needed by the Canada Pension Plan to pay current benefits on behalf of 17 million Canadian contributors and beneficiaries. In order to build a diversified portfolio of CPP assets, the CPP Investment Board invests in public equities, private equities, real estate, inflation-linked bonds, infrastructure and fixed income instruments. Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in London and Hong Kong, the CPP Investment Board is governed and managed independently of the Canada Pension Plan and at arm's length from governments. At June 30, 2009, the CPP Fund totaled $116.6 billion. For more information about the CPP Investment Board, please visit www.cppib.ca.
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating to eBay's future performance that are based on its current expectations, forecasts and assumptions. Those statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the receipt and timing of regulatory approval for the transaction; the possibility that the transaction may not close; the reaction of Skype's users and commercial partners to the transaction; the reaction of competitors to the transaction; the anticipated continuation of Skype's growth; and the potential longer-term value of Skype.
More information about factors that could affect eBay's operating results can be found in the company's most recent annual report on its Form 10-K and its subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (available at http://investor.ebay.com). All forward-looking statements are based on information available to eBay on the date hereof, and eBay assumes no obligation to update such statements.
]]>Skype to benefit from the technological and management expertise of the investor group led by Silver Lake, Index Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)
eBay to retain significant minority interest in Skype
Menlo Park, CA, September 1, 2009 – Skype Technologies S.A. and an investor group led by Silver Lake announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement in which the investor group will purchase a 65 percent interest in Skype Technologies from eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) for approximately $1.9 billion in cash, in a transaction valuing Skype Technologies at $2.75 billion. eBay will retain the remaining 35 percent equity interest in Skype.
Skype Technologies is the manufacturer and developer of Skype software, which is used by millions of individuals and businesses to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. The software also allows users to make low‐cost calls to landlines and mobile telephone lines.
The purchasers are a strong consortium with complementary skill sets. Members of the investor group are Silver Lake, the leader in private investment in technology, technology‐enabled and related growth industries; Index Ventures, a premier global venture capital firm; Andreessen Horowitz, a recently launched venture capital firm led by Netscape founder Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz; and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).
“We are extremely fortunate to have such a talented and seasoned group invest in our company,” said Josh Silverman, CEO of Skype. “This is a group of investors and industry veterans that have a strong track record of taking the technology companies they own to the next level. With their know‐how helping to guide our vision, Skype is poised to enter the next phase of its growth and development.”
“Skype Technologies is an innovative, next‐generation technology company that has changed how people and businesses communicate with each other,” said Egon Durban, Managing Director at Silver Lake. “This transaction benefits all parties involved and will allow Skype the opportunity to accelerate the growth of its business by harnessing the deep technological and company development expertise that resides within the investor group. Josh Silverman has done a strong job leading the company and we look forward to working with Josh and his team to grow the Skype franchise.”
“Skype is one of Europe’s greatest startup success stories. In 2004, we recognized its potential as a global telecommunications leader and we’ve been captivated by the business since we first invested,” said Mike Volpi, Index Partner. “eBay has continued to foster Skype’s growth as the Internet voice and video communication leader. We are delighted to join this all‐star team of professionals and investors in the next chapter of the Skype adventure.”
“Skype is the archetypal Internet phenomenon: a breakthrough technology combining with enormously powerful network effects to revolutionize a gigantic industry,” said Marc Andreessen, Co‐Founder of Andreessen Horowitz. “With this acquisition, we will work with the Skype team and eBay to build the company into a core Internet franchise at huge scale.”
“This acquisition represents an opportunity to acquire a leader in the rapidly growing internet telecommunications market and one of the most strategically valuable internet brands in the marketplace. We look forward to working with our partners to help grow Skype in this accelerating industry,” said Mark Wiseman, Senior Vice‐President, Private Investments with the CPP Investment Board.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the talented players that make up this investment group will enable strong growth of Skype in the years to come,” said John Donahoe, CEO of eBay. “The management team at Skype is one of the most innovative in the industry, and their talent and innovation will be enhanced through this partnership. For eBay, this transaction allows us to unlock both immediate and long‐term value while benefiting from talented partners to help Skype accelerate its growth momentum.”
Skype Technologies generated revenues of $551 million in 2008, a 44% increase compared to 2007. Registered Skype users reached 405 million by the end of 2008, a 47% increase from 2007. eBay has projected Skype Technologies revenues to exceed $1 billion in 2011. Skype Technologies recently introduced a popular Skype iPhone app as well as partnerships with mobile carriers such as Nokia and Hutchison. The company is attracting thousands of new users daily.
J.P. Morgan, Barclays and RBC Capital Markets advised Silver Lake and its investor group and have committed to provide the financing necessary to complete the transaction.
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Bird & Bird LLP and Michael Silverleaf QC are acting as legal advisors to the investor group.
Goldman Sachs is providing financial advice to eBay on the transaction. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP and Sidley Austin LLP are acting as legal advisors to eBay.
About Skype Technologies
Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low‐cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
About Silver Lake
Silver Lake is the leading investment firm focused on large scale investments in technology, technology‐ enabled, and related growth industries. Silver Lake's mission is to function as a value‐added partner to the management teams of the world's leading technology franchises. Its portfolio includes or has included technology industry leaders such as Ameritrade, Avago, Business Objects, Gartner, Instinet, Intelsat, NASDAQ, Sabre / Travelocity, Seagate Technology, SunGard Data Systems and UGS. For more information, please visit www.silverlake.com.
About Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)
The CPP Investment Board is a professional investment management organization that invests the funds not needed by the Canada Pension Plan to pay current benefits on behalf of 17 million Canadian contributors and beneficiaries. In order to build a diversified portfolio of CPP assets, the CPP Investment Board invests in public equities, private equities, real estate, inflation‐linked bonds, infrastructure and fixed income instruments. Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in London and Hong Kong, the CPP Investment Board is governed and managed independently of the Canada Pension Plan and at arm's length from governments. At June 30, 2009, the CPP Fund totaled C$116.6 billion. For more information about the CPP Investment Board, please visit www.cppib.ca.
About Index Ventures
Index Ventures is a leading global venture capital firm active in technology, biotech and clean tech venture investing since 1996. The firm is dedicated to helping top entrepreneurial teams in the Information Technology and Life Science sectors build their companies into market defining global leaders. The firm has offices in Geneva, London and Jersey and focuses on investments from seed through growth stage companies. Index’s growth portfolio includes Adconion, RPX, Betfair and Trialpay. Exits of note include Skype (eBay), MySQL (the world's most popular open source database acquired by Sun), and Last.fm (the world's largest social music platform, recently acquired by CBS). For more information, please visit www.indexventures.com.
About Andreessen Horowitz
Andreessen Horowitz was established in June 2009 by entrepreneurs and engineers Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, based on their vision for a new, modern VC firm designed to support today’s entrepreneurs. Andreessen and Horowitz have a track record of investing in, building and scaling highly successful businesses. Andreessen Horowitz is based on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California.
About eBay
Founded in 1995, eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) connects hundreds of millions of people around the world every day, empowering them to explore new opportunities and innovate together. eBay does this by providing the Internet platforms of choice for global commerce, payments and communications. Since its inception, eBay has expanded to include some of the strongest brands in the world, including eBay, PayPal, Skype, StubHub, Shopping.com, and others. eBay is headquartered in San Jose, California. For more information, please visit www.eBay.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
John Dillard Edelman for Silver Lake (212) 704‐8174 john.dillard@edelman.com
Rich Myers Edelman for Silver Lake (212) 819‐4807 richard.myers@edelman.com
Designed with user friendliness in mind, the Skype online shop enables users in these countries to browse and buy a range of Skype Certified™ accessories and hardware and enjoy the convenience of having items shipped directly to them from third party merchants whom Skype has partnered with, confident that every item has passed Skype's quality and performance certification tests.
"We are excited to extend the Skype shop to Latin America and make available to our users Skype Certified™ accessories which can enhance their user experience by broadening how and where they use Skype," said Don Albert, Americas General Manager and Vice President for Skype. "This further illustrates our commitment to our users, providing them with a richer Skype experience and allowing them to continue their Skype conversations wherever they are."
The Skype Shop offers a range of products for sale from third party merchants including wireless headsets and web cameras, with more products to be added as the shop develops. Users who have upgraded to the all-new Skype, can also easily access the web store from within Skype's 4.0 client for Windows, by clicking on the Shop tab.
Users can access the new Skype Shop at http://www.skype.com/go/shop. To upgrade or download the new Skype 4.1 for Windows, visit http://www.skype.com/go/download.
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
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