May 10, 2011
For Immediate Release

Contact: Kamilla Kovacs
202.454.5685
press@mediaaccess.org

WASHINGTON – Microsoft today announced its intention to acquire Skype for $8.5 billion. Microsoft’s statements tout the benefits of the acquisition for individual and business users of real-time video and voice communications.

Andrew Jay Schwartzman, Senior Vice President and Policy Director of Media Access Project, issued the following statement in reaction to the announcement:

“This may prove to be a positive development. However, for the public to benefit from this deal, Microsoft needs to embrace network neutrality and other open Internet policies. Without such policies, large and anticompetive carriers like AT&T and Verizon will have the power to cripple potentially competitive services such as Skype’s that will depend on access to existing networks.

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Media Access Project is a nonprofit, public interest law firm working to protect free expression, innovation, and economic growth by promoting low cost, universal access to media outlets and communications services.