Nokia has selected ST-Ericsson as a supplier for future devices it plans to introduce based on the Windows Phone mobile platform, breaking Qualcomm's monopoly over Microsoft's mobile platform.

"We are pleased to have been selected by Nokia as a key partner for Windows smartphones, in line with our goal to be present in all segments and major operating systems," said Gilles Delfassy, president and CEO of ST-Ericsson. "Our NovaThor platforms continue to gain traction as they enable customers to bring great smartphones to the market."

So far Microsoft has limited the use of its platform to higher-end smartphone models using Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor, limiting the potential audience, but Nokia has said it would seek to offer cheaper models soon.

Nokia last week unveiled the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710 smartohones based its first on Microsoft software. These models will use Qualcomm chipsets.