(Telecompaper) Microsoft announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona new hardware partners for Windows Phone as part of efforts to expand the OS to more low-end and mid-range devices. In addition to its existing partners Nokia, Samsung, HTC and Huawei Microsoft said it is now working with Foxconn, Gionee, Lava (Xolo), Lenovo, LG, Longcheer, JSR, Karbonn and ZTE to develop the Windows Phone platform. As a result, Windows will be able to offer an even broader array of devices, across more price points and geographies, the company said. Microsoft also unveiled expanded hardware support for Windows devices, including support for Qualcomm's low-end Snapdragon processors, the 200 and 400 series. It's working with Qualcomm to offer reference designs for integrating the chips in Windows phones. The additional hardware support will also allow use of more spectrum bands on Windows phones, for TDD and FDD LTE, HSPA and the Chinese standard TD-SCDMA. Windows Phone will also support soft keys and dual SIM, key requirements particularly for Asian and emerging markets. In addition, Microsoft launched in Barcelona the Windows Hardware Partner Portal, designed to help manufacturers and operators speed up device commercialization and minimize development costs. The expanded Windows Phone ecosystem will also provide mobile operators and retail partners with additional opportunities to offer white-label Windows Phone devices and apps under their own brands.