Skype for Windows Phone may finally launch by month’s end

Microsoft could launch Skype for Windows Phone by the end of the month, after it was reported by The Verge that it has already begun seeding a test version of the app to its Windows Phone Marketplace for employees to download.

The popular tech website cites sources which say the Skype app will utilise Microsoft’s Metro style guidelines, including a two column grid to display contacts, and will appear as a standalone application ahead of deep integration within Windows Phone 8.

Skype has been a long time coming, with the company originally stating back in 2010 that it had no plans to develop a native app for the platform. However, that all changed with the growth of the Windows Phone platform, but mainly also because the Redmond-based software giant acquired the company for $8.5 billion in May 2011.

The Verge says that the app could launch at Mobile World Congress (MWC) at the end of February, but this is dependant on Microsoft’s internal testing.

We will be at this year’s MWC event, so we hope to bring you news of Skype’s Windows Phone launch the minute is announced.