Microsoft will be reportedly dropping the Nokia name off its Lumia range and renaming it to Microsoft Lumia.

According to ZDNet, the company made the announcement on its Nokia France Facebook page, where it wrote: "In the coming days, you will receive a message from Facebook on the renaming of this page. We are about to become Microsoft Lumia."

The Verge got official confirmation that other countries will follow France in the rebranding steps in coming weeks, and a Microsoft spokesperson has told ZDNet: "We have nothing to share concerning these reports."

This is one of the first changes to come as part of Microsoft's plans to phase out the Nokia brand since it became the new owner of Nokia's handset business in April. As part of the acquisition, Microsoft is now responsible for Lumia smartphones and tablets, Nokia mobile phones, Xbox hardware, Surface, Perceptive Pixel (PPI) products, and accessories.

As a result of the Nokia acquisition, Microsoft has also acquired approximately 25,000 new employees located in 50 countries.

Rumors have also circulated that Microsoft might use the Lumia brand to replace its Surface brand, ZDNet says.

Meanwhile, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who appeared on CBS This Morning on Tuesday, Oct 21, to speak about becoming the new owner of NBA team LA Clippers, said that buying Nokia was a "tough" and "big decision".

"All along the way, we've appreciated mobile. But we're not winning in mobile. There's a difference between 'hey, you're asleep' and saying 'hey, you're not putting the formula together right'. We didn't," he said.