The European Commission is reportedly set to give its approval to Microsoft’s US$8.5bn acquisition of VoIP operator Skype.
A Financial Times report stated that EU Competition Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, is ready to give his approval to the deal…
The European Commission is reportedly set to give its approval to Microsoft’s US$8.5bn acquisition of VoIP operator Skype.
A Financial Times report stated that EU Competition Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, is ready to give his approval to the deal without demanding remedies.
A Commission spokesperson refused to comment on the report.
Deadline for the phase one verdict on the case is 7 October.
US antitrust officials at the Federal Trade Commission gave their approval to the deal in June.
The companies originally announced the deal back in May.
Skype’s financial advisers are Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan. Microsoft did not use external advisers.
Founded in 2003, Skype was acquired by US online auction group Ebay for US$2.6bn in 2005.
In 2009, Ebay sold approximately 65% of the company to a consortium of investors, led by Silver Lake, for US$1.9bn and a US$125m debt instrument, which has since been repaid.
