One of the great debates which will help to shape next generation mobile networks and services concerns the growing role of open source in the cellular world. Some operators have raced to embrace open source technologies in the network, to accelerate the progress towards virtualization and software-defined networking (SDN). Open source platforms for hardware elements like base stations and radios are even starting to emerge. But there are risks as well as rewards in the open process, and most players are looking towards a hybrid approach where the speed and broad-based innovation of open source can be tempered by the clear direction and strong quality control of a formal standards process. Indeed, the Linux Foundation itself has published a white…