The Microsoft Skype buyout is inching closer to reality with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission finishing its antitrust review of the deal and letting it proceed on Friday.

According to reports, the FTC approved of the deal on Friday and the deal will now need to be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Department of Justice also need to approve of the Microsoft Skype buyout so that the Washington-based Windows OS-maker can finalize the deal and to buy Skype.

According to the FTC website, the agency as well as the DOJ needs to both review and approve of deals surpassing $65 million.

Skype, the popular internet chat and call service, was first rumored to be in talks with Microsoft last month.

The companies revealed soon after rumors of the Microsoft Skype buyout spread that they have already agreed to the buyout.

The Microsoft Skype buyout will be an all-cash deal worth a whopping $8.5 billion. It is the biggest purchase by the software giant yet.

About Solon Harmony Dolor

A passion for technology and journalism makes this upcoming writer very interested in social media and technology news. Fresh from finishing an English and Journalism degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman, he aims to bring interesting news to our readers .