Microsoft has won US antitrust approval to buy the Internet phone service Skype.Â
Microsoft declared in May it was buying Skype for $8.5 billion, it's biggest-ever acquisition, placing a rich bet on mobile and the Internet to try and best rivals such as Google Inc.
Microsoft's interest in the money-losing, but popular service highlights a need to gain new customers for its Windows and Office software. Skype claims to have 145 million users on average each month and has gained favor among small businesses.
