Skype for Business Server End of Life & Replacement

System type

On-premises UC server (Lync / Skype for Business)

Status

Retired by Microsoft

Manufacturer support

Ended / ending

In service

2007–2025

Microsoft retired Skype for Business Online in 2021 and support for the on-premises Skype for Business Server (and its Lync predecessors) has run out. Microsoft's own path points to Teams — but Teams Phone isn't the only option, and for many businesses a dedicated cloud phone service is simpler and cheaper.

fvoip gives you a full business phone system — auto-attendant, ring groups, call recording, mobile and desktop apps — without Microsoft licensing tiers or an on-prem server to patch. If you're weighing Teams, our honest comparison lays out where each fits.

Why it's time to move.

Retired platformSkype for Business Online ended in 2021 and on-prem server support has run out — staying put means running unsupported software.
Forced migrationMicrosoft is steering everyone to Teams; if you're rebuilding anyway, it's the moment to pick the best-fit phone system, not the default one.
Server and SBC upkeepOn-prem SfB meant Windows servers, certificates, and session border controllers to maintain — all of which the cloud removes.
Telephony complexityEnterprise Voice on SfB was notoriously intricate; fvoip delivers the same calling features with far less to manage.

End-of-life and support details reflect published information at the time of writing and can change — always confirm current status with the vendor.

Your migration, step by step.

We rebuild your call flows on fvoip — auto-attendant menus, ring groups, business hours, and voicemail boxes — while Skype for Business Server keeps answering. You test everything on temporary numbers, and we port the real numbers only once you sign off. If anything looks wrong, the old system is still there.

Compare fvoip against the vendor's own successor →

What you keep

Your phone numbersWe port every direct-dial and main line to fvoip — callers keep reaching you at the same numbers, with no gap in service.
Your extensions & menusWe rebuild the extension map, auto-attendant, ring groups, and business hours your team already knows.
Business continuityfvoip runs in parallel with the old system and cuts over only when you approve — phones never stop ringing.
Compatible SIP phonesReuse standards-based SIP desk phones where possible, or rent auto-provisioned handsets from $8.99/mo.

Other retired systems we migrate.

See all migration paths →

Frequently asked questions

Is Skype for Business really going away?

Yes. Microsoft retired Skype for Business Online on July 31, 2021, and support for the on-premises servers (2015/2019) has ended or is ending. Confirm your exact server's date with Microsoft.

Do I have to move to Microsoft Teams?

No. Teams Phone is one option, but a dedicated cloud phone service like fvoip is often simpler and less expensive. See our fvoip vs Teams Phone comparison for an honest breakdown.

Can fvoip work alongside Microsoft 365?

Yes. fvoip runs independently of your Microsoft 365 email and files, so you keep those while moving voice to a purpose-built phone system.

Ready for a phone system that just works?

Set up in a day. Keep your numbers. Cancel anytime — every plan is month-to-month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get started with fvoip →

Time to retire Skype for Business Server.