Facebook and Google Reportedly Considering Skype Acquisition, Partnership

Skype is reportedly being actively courted by such online and social media heavyweights as Facebook and Google for everything from “elaborate partnership” opportunities to outright acquisition.

According to a report published Thursday, following the web video conferencing service’s decision to put off an initial public offering, prospective buyers and dealmakers have swooped in to measure Skype’s interest in no shortage of possible big opportunities.

Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly been engaged in “internal discussions” pertaining to the possible acquisition of Skype. Another source tells Reuters that Facebook had “reached out to the Luxembourg-based company about forming a joint venture.”

Securing Skype as a partner would expand Facebook’s user base, help it grow in international markets where Skype is popular, and give its half-billion users another reason to remain active and connected to its online community.

Analysts who have weighed in on the matter contend that a Facebook and Skype partnership makes considerably more sense than a similar deal with Google, which already has a similar service in Google Voice.

“This is very synergistic,” says Trip Chowdhry, Global Equities Research analyst. “It puts Facebook two steps ahead of Google because of the number of Skype users. In your social network, you will now have another very compelling service – Skype,” Chowdhry adds.