Microsoft may be close to buying Skype

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Microsoft is close to a deal to buy the Internet phone service Skype. It would be the biggest deal in the software maker's 36-year history.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the deal could be worth $8.5 billion.

About 663 million users worldwide use Skype to make voice and video calls.

Buying Skype would give Microsoft more clout as it tries to become a bigger force in the smartphone market.

The journal says the deal could be announced on Tuesday.

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