Bill Gates At The Back Skype Takeover

Microsoft's founder, Bill Gates, has mentioned he advocated the company's takeover of Skype, and urged other house members to encouragement the move.

Last week Microsoft concluded to pay $8.5bn (5.2bn) is to loss-making internet phone service.

"I was a burly proponent at the house turn is to treat being done," Mr Gates, Microsoft's chairperson told the BBC's Hardtalk programme.

The multi-billion dollar treat is Microsoft's largest ever acquisition.

"I regard it's a great, great treat for Skype. we regard it's a great treat for Microsoft," he added.

Skype enables its users to meeting any other over the internet for free, whilst charging for calls done to both normal landline phones and mobiles.

The Luxembourg-based company, that has 663 million users worldwide has however struggled to make a profit.

But in the talk with the BBC's Stephen Sackur, Mr Gates mentioned the preference to purchase Skype was strategic.

"The thought of video conferencing is going to obtain so ample improved than it is today. Skype obviously does obtain a satisfactory bit of revenue," mentioned Mr Gates.

"It'll be captivating to see how the smart ideas out of Microsoft research, forthcoming together with Skype, what they can make of that."

You can see the full talk in the UK on BBC News Channel on Wednesday 18 May at 0430 BST. Outside the UK it will be announce on BBC World News on Wednesday at 0330, 0830, 1530, and 2030 GMT.