In the first of our two special Mobile World Congress issues we identified some key topics, directly related to the new network, which will shape mobile operator strategies and investment for the year ahead. To recap, these were: ‘ An accelerated move to virtualization in many parts of the network, although the RAN remains elusive for now, except at China Mobile ‘ Software defined networking, as distinct from NFV (network functions virtualization) remains a moving, and sometimes, distant, target, but the broader convergence of IT and network capabilities and skills is critical. Data center and big data providers were prominent as they reach right down into the RAN via technologies like SON and even testing. ‘ Small cells are finally…