Ahead of a reported ‘major announcement’ at next month’s GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Microsoft has told the New York Times of its intention to limit the number of mobile phones that run its Windows Mobile operating system. “I’d rather have fewer devices and be more focused,” Todd Peters, VP of marketing for the Windows Mobile division, told the publication. He said that the company will “get better integration” between phone and operating system as a result. The report notes that Microsoft – whose Windows Mobile platform runs on around 140 different device models – has a particular challenge in that unlike some competitors, it does not control both the hardware and the software. Apple and Palm, for example, manufacture both the hardware (iPhone and Pre, respectively), as well as the operating system (iPhone OS and WebOS, respectively).

The New York Times report adds that at the Mobile World Congress – where Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will present a keynote address – the company will talk about “how it can provide more value through new touchscreen capability and new service offerings.” Peters stated that Microsoft intends to “pump more value” into Microsoft’s software license. In addition, it is rumoured that Microsoft will go live with Windows Mobile 6.5 at the event. CEO Ballmer revealed during his keynote appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show last week that more than 20 million Windows Mobile-enabled handsets have been sold in the last 12 months. “We have delivered 11 different mobile phones that have sold a million units each, and in the past year we’ve brought to market over 30 new Windows Mobile phones, or more than any other mobile platform in the market,” Ballmer said.