Windows Phone is slowly making a name for itself as the platform has surpassed BlackBerry in 24 countries, which was not an easy feat considering a year ago most carriers were uninterested in what Windows Phone had to offer.

Microsoft's global vice president of sales and marketing, Eddie O'Brien, made the announcement during an interview at the recently concluded Mobile World Congress. He didn't give a list of the 24 countries, however, he did went on to add that Windows Phone has gained double digit market share in Finland, Poland and the United Arab Emirates.

Furthermore, O'Brien said Windows Phone possess the capabilities of competing in such markets as China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Turkey where smartphone saturation is pretty much on the low side. With the recent release of the Nokia Lumia 620 along with the launch of the Lumia 520 and 720, things could change for the better in countries with low smartphone penetration.

O'Brien recognizes that Windows Phone overall market share is still low, but compared to a year ago, things are completely different as the platform has gain a lot of Carrier support. No longer are Carriers questioning the reason to jump onboard, and that can only mean good things for Windows Phone in the future.

He also said that the Windows Phone story needs to be told better by Microsoft, along with how much sales were better when Windows Phone devices were shown alongside Windows 8 tablets.

"I am communicating that they want to tell the story," he said. "They're saying, 'We want to tell the Microsoft story.'"

Year 2013 should be interesting, however, it goes without saying, other OEMs need to step up the plate in order to compete with Nokia. Such a thing would see Windows Phone usher in faster growth.