nal4236 (12/1/2016)
Yes, you need enough SQL Enterprise licenses to cover all 16 cores, however one SQL Enterprise license = 2 cores. So for a 16-core server you'll need a total of 8 licenses.
One license = one core. 16 cores, 16 licenses.
You buy the licenses in packs of two.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-2016-pricing
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability