MediaTek, forever in the shadow of Qualcomm in the smartphone market, is seeking a testing headstart for its 5G chips by using a private network as a testbed and showcase. It has been testing its products on a live network, using spectrum supplied by Far EasTone in the chipmaker’s home country of Taiwan, with Ericsson radio equipment. The three companies created a private network that connects MediaTek’s three manufacturing sites and its headquarters in Taiwan’s HsinChu Science Park. This will be a showcase for the company’s 5G chipsets, and enable it to test products without having to apply for a licence to use MNOs’ underutilized spectrum – the usual procedure in Taiwan. The private network will reduce time to market for the chipsets, said MediaTek, because…