For users, Skype will go offline on May 5, when Microsoft replaces it with a free version of Microsoft Teams. Teams has been Microsoft’s chosen successor for years, offering the same kinds of video calls and group meetings.

Microsoft will soon switch off Skype, a pioneering telecom and video call platform that emerged from the rubble of the dotcom era.

Skype was an a pioneer in live video-calling that was bought by Microsoft in 2011, but was later overtaken by competing services.