The dream that the cloud-native 5G core would usher in open, multivendor networks in which new and small suppliers could take part is belied by the first deployments of 5G Standalone (SA), which requires the 5G core. Most major announced contracts, outside of the small number of greenfield operators, have gone to single suppliers, mainly the established equipment providers. HPE unveiled a full 5G core stack last year but has acknowledged that, in the macro networks, operators are remaining cautious and opting for their familiar suppliers – HPE will focus, for now at least, on enterprise and private networks, where there is a far more ready appetite for new solutions, and a wider range of deployers. There is some opening…