Nokia and Microsoft have confirmed they will form a partnership with the aim of creating a new global mobile ecosystem. This should come as no surprise as it's been rumoured for weeks.

The partnership will see Nokia use Microsoft's Windows Phone operating platform as it's main smartphone OS. A video can be found below which outlines the new partnership.

The partnership will work jointly together and would see Nokia supporting areas which are key to it's own mobile strategy. Nokia and Microsoft would ensure important Nokia features like imaging are added onto the top of the Windows Phone OS. So Nokia would get Windows Phone plus a Nokia type add-on to the OS which would bring all the usual Nokia benefits to the platform.

Other areas involve developing key services such as Bing and Nokia Maps whilst Nokia's Application Store plus content would be integrated into Microsoft Market.

Stephen Elop, Nokia President and CEO, said at a joint news conference in London. "Nokia and Microsoft will combine our strengths to deliver an ecosystem with unrivalled global reach and scale. It's now a three-horse race."

"I am excited about this partnership with Nokia," said Steven A. Ballmer, Microsoft CEO. "Ecosystems thrive when fueled by speed, innovation and scale. The partnership announced today provides incredible scale, vast expertise in hardware and software innovation and a proven ability to execute."