Microsoft founder and former CEO Bill Gates has confirmed that he was a driving force behind Microsoft's decision to purchase Skype for $8.5 billion.
Despite having left his position as CEO Microsoft to concentrate on philanthropy via the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, Gates remains as Chairman, and is still involved in making high-level decisions at the boardroom level.
Speaking to the BBC, Gates stated that he 'was a strong proponent at the board level for the deal being done,', adding that the purchase, which many analysts feel cost Microsoft too much money, was a 'great, great deal for Skype. I think it's a great deal for Microsoft.'
Plenty of intrigue still surrounds the deal, with rumours that Google had been closing in on Skype before Microsoft came in to scoop up the IP-telephony service and its 600 million users.
Do you think that Bill has merely been wheeled out to calm jittery investors? Does he still have a place in the industry after leaving Microsoft? Let us know in the forums.
Despite having left his position as CEO Microsoft to concentrate on philanthropy via the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, Gates remains as Chairman, and is still involved in making high-level decisions at the boardroom level.
Speaking to the BBC, Gates stated that he 'was a strong proponent at the board level for the deal being done,', adding that the purchase, which many analysts feel cost Microsoft too much money, was a 'great, great deal for Skype. I think it's a great deal for Microsoft.'
Plenty of intrigue still surrounds the deal, with rumours that Google had been closing in on Skype before Microsoft came in to scoop up the IP-telephony service and its 600 million users.
Do you think that Bill has merely been wheeled out to calm jittery investors? Does he still have a place in the industry after leaving Microsoft? Let us know in the forums.
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