Microsoft-Skype
Money Involved: $8.5 billion
Why It Matters: All kinds of curiosity here, from what Microsoft plans to do with the Skype platform to how Microsoft's legions of channel partners will benefit from a Microsoft-owned VoIP service embraced by not only consumers but also plenty of business workers not interested in expensive video and IP telephony systems. Microsoft's channel tightrope with Skype might be a tricky walk -- Skype couldn't exactly drum up much action it is loosely organized Skype for Business channel program -- or it might be a game-changer.
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