> CISCO might want Skype just for the brand and userbase, since it already has a VOIP platform

hmm, with at&t as well as verizon legally allowing skype on their networks, i think it is much more than that. also, with 4g (sic) lte networks ims voice seems to be a long way away...

edit: at least one (high profile) cisco exec has moved into skype too.