TL;DR
A traditional drive test kit (RF scanner + laptop + software) costs between 40,000 and 80,000 EUR over 3 years per field team. HiCellTek on an Android smartphone cuts that cost by 80 to 90% by eliminating specialised hardware, expensive software licences, and lengthy training programmes. The result: the same level of 4G/5G network diagnostics for a fraction of the budget.
Cost Calculator Traditional drive test vs HiCellTek
Network engineering budgets are under pressure. Compare the total cost of ownership (TCO) over 3 years between a traditional drive test kit and the HiCellTek solution on an Android smartphone. The numbers speak for themselves.
Hardware cost comparison
Hardware represents the largest upfront investment for field teams. Professional RF scanners require replacement every 3 to 5 years.
| Item | Traditional | HiCellTek |
|---|---|---|
| RF Scanner / Smartphone | 15,000 β 50,000 EUR | 500 β 1,200 EUR |
| Collection laptop | 1,500 β 3,000 EUR | Not required |
| Cables, antennas, mounts | 500 β 2,000 EUR | Not required |
| Drive test vehicle mount | 1,000 β 3,000 EUR | Phone holder (< 50 EUR) |
| Total hardware | 18,000 β 58,000 EUR | 500 β 1,250 EUR |
Software licences over 3 years
Traditional software licences (TEMS, Nemo, XCAL) are billed annually and represent a significant recurring cost. HiCellTek offers a flexible SaaS model.
| Item | Traditional (3 years) | HiCellTek (3 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Software licence | 15,000 β 45,000 EUR | Included in subscription |
| Major updates | 3,000 β 10,000 EUR | Included |
| Technical support | 2,000 β 6,000 EUR | Included |
| SaaS subscription (3 years) | N/A | 6,800 β 14,400 EUR |
| Total licences (3 years) | 20,000 β 61,000 EUR | 6,800 β 14,400 EUR |
Training and maintenance
Traditional tools require multi-day certified training courses and regular hardware maintenance. HiCellTek can be learned in a few hours thanks to its intuitive mobile interface.
Initial training
Traditional: 2,000 β 5,000 EUR per technician (3 to 5 days at a certified training centre)
HiCellTek: Included in subscription (onboarding in a few hours, online documentation)
Hardware maintenance
Traditional: 1,000 β 3,000 EUR per year (scanner calibration, repair, battery replacement)
HiCellTek: Zero additional cost (the smartphone is a consumer product, easily replaceable)
Downtime
Traditional: Weeks in case of scanner failure (return to service centre, loan replacement)
HiCellTek: A few hours (immediate smartphone replacement, transferable licence)
Field updates
Traditional: Return to lab for scanner firmware update
HiCellTek: Automatic OTA update on the smartphone
Total 3-year TCO (per team)
Estimates based on public pricing and field feedback. Actual costs vary depending on configuration.
Traditional kit
RF scanner + laptop + software licences + training + maintenance over 3 years
HiCellTek
Android smartphone + all-inclusive SaaS subscription (updates, support, cloud)
savings on 3-year TCO
For a field team of 3 technicians, the cumulative savings can exceed 200,000 EUR over 3 years.
Why HiCellTek costs less
Zero dedicated hardware
The Android smartphone replaces the RF scanner, laptop, and cabling. The phone's Qualcomm chipset delivers the same network data as professional scanners.
Flexible SaaS model
Monthly or annual subscription instead of a massive upfront investment. Add or remove licences based on your field needs.
Minimal training
Intuitive mobile interface designed for field technicians. Onboarding in a few hours, not several days of certified training.
Frequently asked questions about costs
How much does a traditional drive test kit cost?
A full kit (RF scanner, laptop, licences, training) represents an initial investment of 18,000 to 60,000 EUR, then 7,000 to 20,000 EUR per year in licences and maintenance. Over 3 years, the total cost per team often exceeds 45,000 to 130,000 EUR.
How does HiCellTek compare in cost to TEMS or Nemo?
HiCellTek runs on a standard Android smartphone with a monthly SaaS subscription. The total cost over 3 years (smartphone + subscription) ranges from 7,300 to 15,650 EUR, which is 5 to 10 times less than a traditional kit.
Do I need specific hardware to use HiCellTek?
No. HiCellTek works on most Android smartphones equipped with a compatible Qualcomm chipset. No RF scanner, dongle, or additional hardware is required. You can even use smartphones already in service within your organisation.
Is training included in the subscription?
Initial onboarding and technical support are included in the Pro and Enterprise subscriptions. HiCellTek's intuitive interface enables quick onboarding in a few hours, without the need for multi-day certified training.
Use these calculations in the field
HiCellTek integrates all these parameters in a single Android app. RF monitoring, L3 decoding and QoE in real time.
- β RSRP, RSRQ, SINR in real time
- β EARFCN & bands auto-detected
- β CSV, QMDL, Excel export
Related resources
Related tools
Calculate your savings with HiCellTek
Request a personalised analysis of your current TCO. We estimate your potential savings based on your equipment fleet and the number of field teams.
Compare costs in real-world conditions
HiCellTek replaces traditional solutions at a fraction of the price.
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