Looking for a TEMS Investigation Alternative?
TEMS Investigation by Infovista has long been a reference in drive testing, using a Windows laptop and proprietary test probes. HiCellTek offers an alternative approach: professional 2G/3G/4G/5G drive test capabilities on a standard Android device, with no laptop and no probe required.
Traditional Laptop-Based Drive Testing: Key Considerations
Key characteristics of traditional laptop-based drive test solutions.
Laptop-Based Architecture
Traditional drive test solutions typically operate on Windows laptops. This architecture requires a laptop in the vehicle, along with associated power and connectivity provisions.
Dedicated Test Hardware
Laptop-based solutions typically use dedicated test phones or probe hardware connected via USB. These devices constitute separate inventory to maintain.
Multi-Component Investment
Laptop-based drive test solutions typically involve software licenses, dedicated hardware, and maintenance contracts. Total cost of ownership varies depending on the configuration.
Onboarding
Full-featured drive test software platforms have rich interfaces. Onboarding time depends on team experience and the feature set being used.
Layer 3 Analysis Workflow
Laptop-based solutions capture Layer 3 data during drive tests. Depending on the tool and version, detailed RRC and NAS message analysis may be performed in real time or via companion post-processing software.
Ecosystem Integration
Some solutions are part of a broader product ecosystem, including dedicated hardware probes and companion analysis software. Technology upgrades (e.g., 5G) may require hardware updates.
HiCellTek vs TEMS Investigation: Side-by-Side Comparison
A factual comparison to help you evaluate both solutions.
| Feature | HiCellTek | TEMS Investigation |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Android smartphone | Windows laptop + probe |
| Setup time | Under 2 minutes | Varies by configuration |
| Laptop required | No | Yes (Windows) |
| Test probe / dongle | Not required | Required |
| Real-time L3 decoding | Yes (RRC + NAS) | Refer to vendor documentation |
| RF KPIs (RSRP, RSRQ, SINR) | Yes | Yes |
| VoLTE / VoNR MOS | Integrated | Depends on configuration |
| 5G NR SA + NSA | Yes | Probe-dependent |
| Indoor walk test | Included | Separate license |
| Export formats | HLOG, CSV, Excel, GeoJSON | Proprietary TEMS formats |
| License model | Cloud floating license | Per-seat, dongle-locked |
| Total cost of ownership | Software license only | Hardware + software + maintenance |
Comparison based on publicly available product documentation as of March 2026. TEMS Investigation is a registered trademark of Infovista SAS. HiCellTek is not affiliated with Infovista. Features, pricing, and availability may vary by product version and configuration. Please refer to each vendor's official documentation for current specifications.
Key Advantages of Smartphone-Based Drive Testing
No Laptop, No Probe
HiCellTek runs entirely on an Android smartphone. The phone serves as the complete measurement platform, eliminating the need for additional hardware in the vehicle.
Real-Time L3 on Device
Decode RRC (LTE 36.331 / NR 38.331) and NAS (LTE 24.301 / 5G 24.501) messages live during the drive. Identify handover failures, attach rejects, and signaling anomalies in real time.
30-Second Deployment
Open the app, select your modules, start measuring. No calibration, no cabling, no boot-up time. A single engineer can launch a full campaign in under a minute.
VoLTE QoE Built In
Real-time MOS scoring, codec analysis, packet loss, jitter, and call setup time are included in the standard license. Voice quality metrics are available without additional modules.
Cloud Floating Licenses
No physical dongle required. Licenses are cloud-hosted and can be assigned to any device, shared across teams, and scaled on demand.
Optimized Cost Structure
HiCellTek requires only a software license and a compatible Android smartphone. No scanner hardware, no dedicated probes, and no laptop fleet to procure and maintain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key differences between HiCellTek and laptop-based drive test tools?
TEMS Investigation uses a Windows laptop, dedicated test phone or probe, and USB cables. HiCellTek runs on a standard Qualcomm Android smartphone with no laptop, no probe, and no dongle. HiCellTek provides real-time Layer 3 decoding (RRC + NAS), VoLTE QoE, and native 5G NR support on device.
How does HiCellTek pricing compare to TEMS Investigation?
Traditional laptop-based solutions typically require significant upfront investment in hardware and per-seat annual licenses, plus additional costs for hardware probes and maintenance contracts. HiCellTek uses a cloud floating license model. No dedicated hardware to purchase, no dongle to manage, and licenses can be shared across teams.
Can HiCellTek measure the same KPIs as TEMS Investigation?
Yes. HiCellTek measures RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, RSSI, CQI, MCS, MIMO rank, and BLER for serving and neighbor cells across 4G LTE and 5G NR. It adds real-time on-device L3 decoding (RRC and NAS), integrated VoLTE/VoNR MOS scoring, and indoor walk test with floor plan import. For details on other solutions' Layer 3 and voice QoE capabilities, please refer to the respective vendor's documentation.
What does the migration path from TEMS Investigation to HiCellTek look like?
Install HiCellTek on any Qualcomm-based Android phone. No calibration or probe setup needed. Run both tools in parallel on the same routes to validate measurement consistency. HiCellTek exports in CSV, Excel, and GeoJSON for compatibility with your existing post-processing tools. Most teams complete the transition within one to two weeks.
Explore Smartphone-Based Drive Testing
Try HiCellTek alongside your current tools. 14-day guided trial, run both solutions on the same route, compare the KPIs, and decide for yourself.