But Skype, which just posted a 26 percent gain in revenue for the fourth quarter compared to a year ago, happens to be one of the only bright spots in eBay's overall business, which means that eBay isn't desperate to let it go. Because Skype isn't core to eBay's online auction business, experts believe that eBay would be happy to let Skype go, at the right price.

So is eBay looking to unload Skype? The answer is probably yes and no. When asked what eBay was doing to add shareholder value to Skype, Donahoe admitted that 'the synergies between Skype and the other parts of our portfolio are minimal,' the paper said.

Donahoe had said last year that eBay would consider selling the business unit if it couldn't be integrated with its auction or PayPal payment system.Īnd according to statements made during the conference call, it looks like Donahoe doesn't think there is much the Skype technology can do to help eBay's other businesses. The news has left many in the industry wondering if eBay will put Skype, which it paid a hefty $2.6 billion to buy in 2005, on the auction block. The Times of London reported Monday that John Donahoe, chief executive of eBay, described Skype as a 'great standalone business' on a conference call last week with investors after the company reported disappointing fourth-quarter results. But any suitor that comes knocking on eBay's door will likely have to pay a hefty price tag for the Internet phone service. Comments from eBay's CEO have sparked speculation that the online marketplace may be looking to unload Skype.

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