The verdict in three sentences
An FTTH connection contractor in Alsace with 60 technicians and 2,500 connections a month loses a large share of its margin to job reports rejected by the operator or network owner. A custom app costs 30,000 to 55,000 EUR excl. VAT in 2026, versus 20 to 40 EUR per technician per month for a generic field tool that knows neither your photo rules nor your job rate cards. The target: a report rejection rate cut from 18% to 4%, which means jobs paid faster and fewer return visits.
Why job reports get rejected
On an FTTH connection (distribution point, cabling, wall outlet install, measurements), the client requires a complete file: time-stamped, geotagged photos of the distribution point before and after, a photo of the outlet, an optical power reading, the outlet and dwelling reference. A single missing or unreadable item is enough to block payment for the job.
| Rejection cause | Share of rejections (2026 estimate) | App response |
|---|---|---|
| Missing or blurry photo | 35% | Mandatory photo list per job type, sharpness check before validation |
| Optical reading out of range or missing | 20% | Mandatory reading, alert if out of tolerance before leaving the site |
| Wrong outlet or dwelling reference | 15% | Outlet code scan, check against the order received |
| Inconsistent geotag or time stamp | 10% | Metadata captured automatically by the app |
| File sent late | 10% | Automatic submission in the client's format upon validation |
| Other (duplicate, wrong job code) | 10% | Guided coding based on the rate card |
The check happens in the field, before the technician leaves. That is where most of the gain lies: a return visit costs far more than a minute of checking.
What each option costs in 2026
| Option | Upfront cost | Annual cost (60 technicians) | Fit with FTTH work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper, WhatsApp and Excel | 0 EUR | 0 EUR (high rejections and return visits) | No check before submission |
| Generic field service tool | 1,000 to 3,000 EUR excl. VAT (setup) | 14,400 to 28,800 EUR excl. VAT (20 to 40 EUR per technician per month) | Generic forms, no operator rules |
| Kolonell custom app | 30,000 to 55,000 EUR excl. VAT | 6,000 to 10,800 EUR excl. VAT (maintenance 500 to 900 EUR per month) | Photo rules, readings, rate cards, operator exports |
| Go-live timeline | 3 to 4 months | n/a | Phase 1 (dispatch + reports) in 8 to 10 weeks |
| 3-year cost, generic tool | about 44,000 to 89,000 EUR excl. VAT | n/a | Cost grows with every hire |
| 3-year cost, custom | about 48,000 to 87,000 EUR excl. VAT | n/a | No per-technician licence, code owned |
With a comparable three-year cost, the difference comes from the rejection rate, which only a tool built around your operator rules really brings down.
App modules
- Job dispatch: import of connection orders, routes per technician or crew, customer appointment booking by SMS.
- Guided photo report: mandatory steps per job type, automatic quality checks, offline mode in risers.
- Reading checks: manual entry or import from the power meter, thresholds configurable per operator.
- Per-job billing: each validated job feeds the monthly billing statement based on the client's rate card, and technicians' variable pay.
- Dashboard: rejection rate per technician, area and cause, average payment delay.
Mini case study
Julien runs an FTTH connection company in Strasbourg. He completes 2,500 connections a month with an 18% rejection rate, i.e. 450 files to redo. Each rejection costs him about 45 EUR (admin rework, a return visit in 1 case out of 3, payment delay). Moving to 4% leaves only 100 rejections: 350 rejections avoided per month, or 15,750 EUR, about 189,000 EUR a year. With an app at 45,000 EUR excl. VAT and 8,400 EUR yearly maintenance, the project pays back in 3 to 4 months, even if real gains reach only half of this estimate.
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FAQ
Does the app work without signal inside buildings?
Yes, offline mode covers basements, risers and technical rooms. Photos and readings are stored on the phone and sent once signal returns, with the original time stamp preserved.
Can we handle several clients with different rules?
Yes, each operator or network owner has its own set of photo rules, reading thresholds and export format. Adding a new client takes 3 to 5 days of configuration.
How is per-job billing calculated?
Each validated job is coded against the client's rate card. The monthly statement is generated in 1 click with detail per order, which shortens billing time from about 10 days to 2 days.
Can tier-2 subcontractors use the app?
Yes, with dedicated accounts and visibility limited to their own jobs. Their rejection rate is tracked separately, useful for managing subcontracting that often represents 20 to 40% of volume.
What does the 500 to 900 EUR monthly maintenance include?
Hosting in France, backups, fixes, mobile updates, adjustments to minor operator format changes and support. A new module is quoted separately.
Let's scope your project. Send us your connection volume, clients and current rejection rate: we will price an app between 30,000 and 55,000 EUR excl. VAT with a first phase in 8 to 10 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
