We have pointed out before that, while large operators talk up the benefits of introducing new suppliers to their RANs, the real power in the network rests with the core provider – and in tier 1 macro networks, 5G cores so far have largely stayed with the major equipment vendors. Open RAN proponents like Vodafone selected Ericsson or Nokia last year as they started to make decisions about their deployments of 5G Standalone, which requires its own 5G core. Now Orange has followed suit, unveiling its 5G SA core providers at MWC, and selecting Ericsson and Nokia, plus some elements from Oracle. Ericsson will supply the SA core for Orange’s operating companies in Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg and Poland, and Nokia…