Wireless Watch 638: Open source in mobile networks

Key Issues:

• Optimization tools are playing catch-up with unified network trends 2
• Mobile giants will not be able to hold back the open source wave much longer 7

Comment:

• US government launches far-reaching smartphone security inquisition 12
• EC block on Hutchison’s O2 UK deal ignores the real threat to MNO survival 14
• New competitive challenges for MNOs in India and China 16
• Nokia/ALU marriage off to a shaky start with surprise drop in sales 19
• Schmidt kicks off Google’s defence in high-stakes rematch against Oracle 21

Start-Up Watch:

Google increases investment in CoreOS containers 25

M&A Watch:

MaxLinear eyes 5G potential with Broadcom, Microsemi deals 26

IoT Watch:

LPWANs race for scale as NB-IoT juggernaut looms closer 27

Mobile Apps and Content:
Vodacom shutters M-Pesa m-money service in South Africa; Salesforce aims to smooth operators’ path to the cloud 29

Standards Watch:

IEEE’s latest standard could replace CPRI and make C-RAN viable 30

WiFi Watch:

AirTies promises theoretical max performance using WiFi tools 32

Operator Watch:

Wall Street unconvinced by Softbank’s optimism about Sprint 35

Devices and Components:

Intel leaps to second place in industrial chip market, propelled by IoT 36