The promises of SON (self-optimizing networks) will only be fully delivered if there is interoperability between different vendors’ implementations, and this is one goal of the OSS Interoperability Initiative (OSSii), formed in 2013 by the three largest network OEMs. Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia took the unusual step of opening up interfaces which they have often guarded fiercely, in the face of rising operator pressure to make their SON platforms, and broader OSS offerings, more open to mix-and-match approaches, especially when it comes to smaller cells. The OSSii allows different products to share data and network information, and they are pre-verified by the cross-vendor body to save customers from complex integration projects. That would certainly be valuable to hard-pressed operators, but…