Amidst unconfirmed reports that Microsoft may be planning to launch an own-brand phone for its Windows Phone 8 platform, the idea of a Surface phone has received praise from unexpected quarters.

Stephen Elop, CEO of Nokia, has said that a smartphone produced by the software giant to run its own operating system would be a good thing for Windows Phone as a whole, despite the fact that the introduction of a Surface handset would be in direct competition with his company’s devices.

Tech site TheVerge reports that Elop made the claim in a conference call with investors, quoting the CEO saying that he welcomes anything that “helps spur the ecosystem on”.

A slew of Windows Phone 8 devices have been unveiled ahead of the launch of Microsoft’s new platform, scheduled to coincide with the launch of the revamped version of its desktop software, Windows 8.

Both Nokia and HTC have showcased new handsets in recent weeks, with Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, appearing at both launch events.

The idea of a Microsoft smartphone has been floating around for a short while, with rumours being spurred on by the Redmond-based company’s announcement that it is set to release an in-house Windows 8 tablet in direct competition with its partners who are also creating devices for the platform.

In the last few days, Microsoft has begun an advertising campaign to promote the Surface tablet, with Windows Phone 8 due to be unveiled on 29 October.