Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates was a big force behind the software maker's decision to buy internet video-calling company Skype for $8.5-billion (U.S.) Mr. Gates told the BBC in an interview that he was a "strong proponent at the board level for the deal being done."

He said it's a "great, great deal" for Skype and a "great deal" for Microsoft . At two greats for Skype to one for Microsoft, that's about in line with the assessment of many that the sellers got the better of the buyer in this transaction.

Mr. Gates said that there's a lot of upside in the purchase, as he'd have to given the price.

"The idea of video conferencing is going to get so much better than it is today. Skype actually does get a fair bit of revenue," he told the BBC.

"It'll be fascinating to see how the brilliant ideas out of Microsoft research, coming together with Skype, what they can make of that."

For the full BBC story, see this link.