It’s been almost a decade since web browser pioneer and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen penned his famous Why Software Is Eating the World essay in The Wall Street Journal. At the time (August 2011) he noted Hewlett-Packard was considering jettisoning its struggling PC business in favour of investing more heavily in software. Google was planning to buy mobile phone handset maker Motorola Mobility. Meanwhile, Andreessen still regarded today’s tech giants including Facebook and Twitter as “new internet companies”.

Today Andreessen’s idea “every company needs to become a software company” is considered cliche. But he was spot on when he predicted “over the next ten years, I expect many more industries to be disrupted by software, with new world-beating Silicon Valley companies doing the disruption in more cases than not”.

Uber and Airbnb are two classic examples of start-ups which turned traditional industries on their head.

In 2020 software innovation looks set to have a huge impact on the whole supply chain. Legacy hardware-based networks are tipped to become a thing of the past, as operators embrace the idea of virtualisation and open RAN technologies using software-based infrastructure. At the same time, traditional markets including the SIM world are being revamped by the concept of eSIM.

And yet for all the noise, the move from hardware to software is still relatively nascent and a difficult path to march for many operators. Which is why Mobile World Live is kicking off its new Themed Week programme next week, with the first focusing on Moving to a Future Software World.

The aim of our Themed Weeks is to provide readers with a rich variety of content dedicated to a specific topic. Next week we’ll be diving into the worlds of open RAN, eSIM, cloud and more to determine what impact these markets are having across the ecosystem. We have a dedicated microsite housing all our content, and are bringing you coverage of the biggest and hottest players in the sector.

In partnership with GSMA Intelligence, we’ll be producing more than 30 exclusive pieces of content in an array of formats: webinars, video interviews and features, analyst Q&As, whitepapers, surveys and more.

Our sponsors Cisco (Platinum), Volta Networks (Gold) and ARM (Silver) will be offering their insight and expertise into the challenges and opportunities ahead, while the analyst and editorial teams of GSMA Intelligence and Mobile World Live will be offering their own unique take.

Here’s a preview of just some of the content to expect next week:
• Live video webinar: Open for Debate – the open RAN Market in 2020, hosted by GSMA Intelligence with guests Altiostar, Mavenir, Nokia and Parallel Wireless. Register here.
• Live webinar: Moving to a Future Software World, with guests Cisco and GSMA Intelligence. Register here.
• Live webinar: How we learned to stop worrying and love the eSIM, with guests Nexign, Rostelecom and GSMA. Register here.
• Video panel discussion: What’s driving network transformation? Featuring Cisco and GSMA Intelligence.
• Video interviews with: Vodafone’s head of Group Network Architecture and TIP chair, Santiago Tenorio; Parallel Wireless CEO Steve Papa; Rakuten Americas GM Azita Arvani; GSMA head of SIM Technology Jean-Christophe Tisseuil; SK Telecom VP & Head of 5GX Cloud Labs, Kang-Won Lee; AT&T VP of technology and automation, Mazin Gilbert; Philip Skipper, head of business development M2M at ‎Vodafone Global Enterprise; Tommi Uitto, president of Mobile Network at Nokia, and more
• Video feature snapshots, showcasing developments in open RAN, eSIM, and cloud markets

Looking ahead, our August Themed Week (commencing 3 August) will focus on Unlocking the Operator Service Opportunity, as we explore how operators can move beyond just connectivity. Other weeks will hone in on Smart Manufacturing, How to Build the Perfect 5G Network, and How to Connect the Next Four Billion.

We’ll even be attempting to offer a clearer understanding of how the next generation of mobile technology – yes, 6G – could develop.

Companies we are already working with on these future Themed Weeks include Ericsson, Alphabet’s Loon, Intel, Intelsat and Oracle. The support we’ve received so far has been great and we can’t wait to get started.

Keep an eye on our microsite as we kickstart our new Themed Weeks!