[via News.com]

I have a lot of respect for eBay, I am a big fan and convinced Skype’s user. But this move is just incomprehensible for me:
– The valuation is incredibly high. is the bubble back? oh no….. I mean, linked with the number of downloads/clients of Skype. Come on ;-) Let’s see how the “normal non-geek” guy will move on, when MS / Yahoo / Google will integrate VoIP’s functions in their very very largely spread tools.
– What are the real differentiators / entry barriers of Skype? I mean, Yahoo and Microsoft already acquired VoIP technology through start-ups, the technology is not in the center.
– Finally, and the most important point: what is the strategic link between Skype and eBay?? I mean, the idea that the current users are waiting for a way of communicating and discussing the deals per VoIP is….again incomprehensible.

On the other side, big congrats to the Skype’s team. What for a deal :-)

Have a look at the more professional analysis of Rodrigo and Jeff. And some inputs well summarized by News.com:

Company executives said Monday that eBay plans to pay $1.3 billion in cash and $1.3 billion in stock to the global communications company. It has agreed to hand over up to an extra $1.5 billion, for a total payout of more than $4 billion, if Skype meets certain financial targets by 2008, according to a presentation to investors on Monday morning.

[…] Luxembourg-based Skype, founded in 2002 by Scandinavian entrepreneurs, offers free computer-to-computer voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls and low-cost connectivity between computer and landline or mobile phones. It is considered the market leader in nearly all of the 225 countries and independent territories where it does business, according to a company press release. The company expects revenue of $60 million this year and more than $200 million in 2006, a Skype representative confirmed Monday. Skype has not yet posted a profit, an executive told Reuters.

Skype generates nearly half of its revenue base in Europe, about a quarter in Asia, and about an eighth in North America. The fast-growing company said it has 54 million subscribers and adds 150,000 users each day. There is currently about a 1 percent overlap among Skype and eBay users, according to the eBay investor presentation.

eBay CEO Meg Whitman told investors in a conference call that she hoped a power trio of eBay, Paypal and Skype would deliver an “unparalleled e-commerce and communications engine” by “removing a key point of friction between buyers and sellers.”