Operators are likely to demand this feature. Previously, they'd usually prefer a 'monoculture' so it's all or nothing for lower cost manufacturers at the time

Operators are likely to demand this feature. Previously, they'd usually prefer a 'monoculture' so it's all or nothing for lower cost manufacturers at the time when an operator rolls out their network or a new generation of it, and an extreme barrier of entry for a new manufacturer. Cooperating could enable a lower cost manufacturer to sell hardware to operators that otherwise would not even consider them due to compatibility issues with their existing gear.