Microsoft's decision to buy Internet communications company Skype will give Microsoft access to a huge base of customers in India for its video conferencing solutions, according to Bangalore-based Zinnov Management Consulting.

Though it is still early days, there is also a “fair chance” that the back-end work of the Microsoft-Skype integration process could come to India, depending on mutual consensus, said Mr Praveen Bhadada, Engagement Manager, Zinnov Management Consulting, an advisory firm.

$8.5-b deal

On Tuesday, Microsoft confirmed that it was buying Skype in cash for $8.5 billion. This is expected to have a far-reaching impact globally and in India as well where Skype is becoming an increasingly popular tool, especially among parents connecting with their children abroad.

The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, said a statement from Microsoft. “The combination will extend Skype's world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft's existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services.”

Says Mr Bhadada of Zinnov: “From a collaboration and communication perspective, with Skype Microsoft can tap a huge base of customers in India for its video conferencing solutions. Also, Skype can help enrich the mobile presence of Microsoft in India wherein it can potentially be shipped with Windows7 series phones. Windows 7 phones are slowly being shipped into India now. Skype will also fit well with the Microsoft - Nokia mobile strategy for video calling etc.”

Will support MS devices

Skype had 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010 globally. Skype will support Microsoft devices such as Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities, said the statement from Microsoft.

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