One of the potential outcomes of the Open RAN movement is to create a commoditized base station that could support an open ecosystem similar to that in WiFi, and enable new network deployers to challenge the stranglehold of the large operators. A clear sign of things to come was the recent agreement struck between one of those Taiwanese contract manufacturers, Pegatron, and Microsoft, to cooperate on private network solutions. Combined with Microsoft’s acquisition of Affirmed Networks and Metaswitch to enable a cloud-based core network for enterprise 4G/5G services, this latest deal is a clear indicator of Microsoft’s interest in the new opportunities arising from open cellular networks, and its potential to bypass traditional operators altogether in the enterprise space where…