eBay is in talks to acquire Net phone company Skype for between $2 billion and $3 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. Citing people familiar with the matter, the newspaper said the deal would represent a dramatic shift in strategy for the world"s largest online auction site. The talks are at a sensitive stage and could fall apart, according to one person briefed on the matter, the Journal said.
An eBay spokesman declined to comment and Skype representatives could not be reached for comment, the newspaper said. Luxembourg-based Skype, whose software allows consumers to make free telephone calls around the world over the Internet, has been in discussions with other technology companies, but none has led to a deal.