A report in the Financial Times suggests that the EU is set to approve Microsoft's acquisition of Skype without a second phase investigation or any conditions. Following approval from the US Federal Trade Co mission this would mean the acquisition could be completed in short order. Skype is likely to be deeply integrated into Windows Phone, offering a consumer focused voice and video over Internet service, complimentary to the Lync service aimed at enterprise users.
Joaquín Almunia, the EU competition commissioner, is to give the green light to the proposed deal without any remedies, in spite of complaints from would-be rivals over Microsoft “bundling” the software with Windows.
The decision to clear the purchase without an in-depth, second-phase investigation will be a relief for Microsoft and will allow the deal to go through without delay.