Microsoft is considering Ericsson AB Chief Executive Hans Vestberg as a possible successor to outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday. Bloomberg did not report on whether the company has reached out to Vestberg.

Among the names mentioned by analysts for the software maker's head position are Microsoft's Satya Nadella and Tony Bates and Pivotal Inc CEO Paul Maritz.

Last month Microsoft's lead independent director John Thompson emphasized the need for a CEO with good tech credentials and "an ability to lead a highly technical organization and work with top technical talent." He also expected Microsoft to have a new CEO "in the early part of 2014."