Skype for Business Server Timeline

Skype for Business Server 2019 is the most recent release of Microsoft’s on-premises unified communications platform. Skype for Business Server 2019 left Mainstream support in Jan. 2024. The 2019 version offers only two years of Extended support instead of the five years offered for previous versions, and it will leave Extended support in Oct. 2025, simultaneously with Skype for Business Server 2015. Cumulative Update 8 (CU8) for Skype for Business Server 2019 is planned for the second half of 2024 and will be a requirement for in-place upgrades to Skype for Business Server SE (below).

Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE) is slated for general availability in the third quarter of 2025. Unlike previous versions, it will be serviced under the Modern Lifecycle Support policy, which provides ongoing support without specific Mainstream or Extended support periods. However, Modern support requires customers to maintain subscription licenses or licenses with active Software Assurance for server and user licenses and to stay current on patches and cumulative updates to receive support. Skype for Business Server SE will be an in-place upgrade from Skype for Business Server 2019 in a process identical to installing a CU, and it will have identical hardware and OS requirements as the 2019 version.