eBay to Acquire Skype

eBay Inc has agreed to acquire Luxembourg-based Skype Technologies SA, the
global Internet communications company, for approximately $2.6 billion in
up-front cash and eBay stock, plus potential performance-based consideration.
The acquisition will strengthen eBay's global marketplace and payments
platform, while opening several new lines of business and creating significant
new monetization opportunities for the company.

The deal also represents a major opportunity for Skype to advance its
leadership in Internet voice communications and offer people worldwide new ways
to communicate in a global online era. Skype, eBay and PayPal will create an
unparalleled ecommerce and communications engine for buyers and sellers around
the world.

"Communications is at the heart of ecommerce and community," said
Meg Whitman, President and Chief Executive Officer of eBay. "By combining
the two leading ecommerce franchises, eBay and PayPal, with the leader in
Internet voice communications, we will create a powerful environment for
business on the Net."

MEG WHITMAN To create a powerful environment for business on the Net with eBay and PayPal

Founded in 2002 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Skype offers
high-quality voice communications to anyone with an Internet connection anywhere
in the world. Its software is easy to download and install, and enables free
calls between Skype users online. Its premium services provide low-cost
connectivity to traditional fixed and mobile telephones.

Skype's software also offers a robust set of features, including voicemail,
instant messaging, call forwarding and conference calling. Upcoming product
innovations include Skype video, expressive content such as avatars, and
customized toolbars for Outlook and Internet Explorer.

One of the fastest growing companies on the Internet, Skype already has 54
million members in 225 countries and territories. The company is currently
adding approximately 1,50,000 users a day and has created a thriving ecosystem
of products, services, developers, and affiliates. It is considered the market
leader in virtually all countries in which it does business. In North America
alone, Skype has more users and serves more voice minutes than any other
Internet voice communications provider.

"Our vision for Skype has always been to build the world's largest
communications business and revolutionize the ease with which people can
communicate through the Internet," said Niklas Zennström, Skype's CEO
and Co-founder. "We can't think of any better platform to fulfill this
vision to become the voice of the Internet than with eBay and PayPal."

DQC NEWS BUREAU