Ebay bites bullet and accepts that e-commerce and VoIP just don't mix.
Online auction giant Ebay has confirmed that it's planning to IPO Skype in the first half of next year.
Commentators are describing the move - which follows some intense speculation - as Ebay effectively selling the company it bought for $2.6 billion back in 2005.
In a statement Ebay CEO John Donahoe said: "It's clear that Skype has limited synergies with eBay and PayPal. We believe operating Skype as a stand-alone publicly traded company is the best path for maximising its potential.
"In addition, separating Skype will allow eBay to focus entirely on our two core growth engines - e-commerce and online payments - and deliver long-term value to our stockholders".
Ebay originally bought Skype as it thought traders would use VoIP to correspond with each other. In practice there seems little desire for them to do so.
Article continues belowAdvertisement
Skype has extended its tendrils into mobile while part of Ebay, however.
The unit has released its own iPhoneAndroid and apps, is integral to the INQ1 handset initiative and has highlighted mobile usability concerns.
