Skype-to-Skype calls and video chats are offered as free services by Skype though. The trick is to find ways to monetize Skype services and generate more revenue. Earlier this year Skype that lets iPhone users make free Skype-to-Skype calls using the WiFi connectivity. Users can also place calls to non-Skype numbers from their iPhone using Skype for a small fee.

Unified communications represents a huge potential market for Skype. Companies around the world are implementing unified communications technologies that rely on VoIP for voice communications. Skype introduced a Beta service called Skype for SIP earlier this year. SIP (session initiation protocol) is the primary protocol used for VoIP and unified communications and users of Skype for SIP are able to use Skype as the VoIP backbone for their unified communications voice calls.

The real win for eBay will come if and when Skype really takes off. eBay retains a 35 percent stake of the company, so it will still get to cash in on Skype's success. The bottom line is that the sale of Skype is sort of like getting a 'do-over'. eBay can get back to being an online auction site while not really losing any money on the failed investment. Skype can get back to innovating online VoIP and communications services. Seems like a win-win.

Tony Bradley is an information security and unified communications expert with more than a decade of enterprise IT experience. He tweets as and provides tips, advice and reviews on information security and unified communications technologies on his site at .