The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has established a 4G+ experimental network worth of NT$1 billion (US$31.6 million; US$1=NT$31.67) to help Taiwanese vendors reduce testing costs and shorten product time to market for mobile phones, chipsets, small cells and so on, reported United Daily News on August 7. The experimental network is a collaboration between Alcatel Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia, NEC, and other international companies, as well as Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone Telecomunications, and other carriers. To help Taiwanese vendors take a lead in developing 5G-ready products, the experimental network is expected to provide 5G testing services by 2018.