The verdict in three sentences
A subcontractor completing 1,500 FTTH connections a month for an operator in Manila loses money on every poorly documented as-built report, every missing ONT and every missed appointment. A custom field operations application covering work orders, geotagged photos and inventory costs 4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA at Kolonell (6,100 to 10,670 EUR) and ships in 12 to 16 weeks. With late penalties that easily reach several thousand euros per quarter, the project usually pays for itself in under a year.
Where an FTTH subcontractor's margin leaks in Manila
The technical director of a fibre rollout subcontractor typically runs 15 to 30 two-person crews spread across Quezon City, Pasig, Makati and Caloocan. The operator sends subscriber orders as Excel files or through its own portal, team leads receive addresses on Viber or WhatsApp, and proof of work comes back as photos scattered across chat groups. At billing time, the as-built reports have to be rebuilt by hand.
| Loss item (2026 order of magnitude) | Without a tool | Estimated monthly impact |
|---|---|---|
| Operator late penalties | 5 to 8% of connections past contractual deadline | 1,370 to 3,660 EUR |
| Rejected as-built reports (missing photo or reading) | 4 to 6% of jobs | 900 to 2,290 EUR of delayed billing |
| Untracked ONTs and patch cords | 2 to 3% of stock issued to crews | 610 to 1,370 EUR |
| Wasted trips (subscriber absent, vague address) | 10 to 15% of visits | 25 to 40 technician hours |
| Manual data entry of reports | 2 full-time assistants | 1,070 to 1,370 EUR in salaries |
| Quality disputes (contested optical reading) | 1 to 2% of connections | Unpaid rework |
These figures are estimates based on typical operator penalty schedules. They point to one simple fact: the problem is not splicing technique, it is traceability between the order, the job and the invoice.
What the application must do, module by module
An FTTH connection management app rests on four building blocks. Work orders come in from the operator's file or API and are assigned to crews by zone and workload. The offline mobile field app enforces geotagged, timestamped photos (wall outlet, distribution box, cable route), entry of the optical power reading in dBm and the subscriber's signature. Inventory tracks each ONT by serial number, drop cable reels by the metre and connectors per crew. Finally, the as-built reports module automatically generates monthly statements in the operator's required format.
| Module | Scope | Share of budget |
|---|---|---|
| Work order import and dispatch | Excel or API import, job map, crew schedule | 15 to 20% |
| Offline mobile app | Geotagged photos, optical reading, signature, sync over 3G | 30 to 35% |
| ONT, cable and consumables inventory | Serial numbers, issue per crew, stock counts, alerts | 15% |
| As-built reports and operator billing | Monthly statements, PDF and Excel export, rejection tracking | 15 to 20% |
| Management dashboard | Lead times by zone, rejection rate, crew productivity | 10% |
| Training and go-live | Team lead training, data migration | 5% |
For a budget of 5,500,000 FCFA, expect about 1,800,000 FCFA on the mobile app alone, since it drives the quality of the evidence. Ongoing maintenance then runs 75,000 to 120,000 FCFA per month (110 to 180 EUR) depending on support level and how often the report format changes.
A realistic 12 to 16 week schedule
| Phase | Duration | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping with the operator and field teams | 2 weeks | Approved report format, list of mandatory photos |
| Mobile and back-office mockups | 2 weeks | Technician flow tested with 2 team leads |
| Module development | 6 to 8 weeks | Pilot version |
| Pilot with 3 crews in Quezon City | 2 weeks | Fixes, offline tuning |
| Full rollout | 2 weeks | All crews, first monthly report generated |
The pilot is essential: mobile coverage varies widely between barangays, and delayed photo sync must be proven in real conditions.
Mini case study
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Illustrative scenario: Paolo, technical director of an FTTH subcontractor in Manila, runs 22 crews and 1,500 connections a month billed at an average of 43 EUR each, about 64,000 EUR in monthly revenue. He suffers 6% late connections penalised at 23 EUR, or 2,070 EUR per month, and 5% rejected reports delaying 3,200 EUR of billing. If he cuts delays to 2% and rejections to 1%, he saves about 1,380 EUR of penalties a month and recovers nearly 2,600 EUR of cash flow. For an app at 6,000,000 FCFA (9,150 EUR), payback comes in 6 to 7 months, not counting the two data entry roles reassigned.
FAQ
How much does an FTTH connection management app cost?
At Kolonell, a medium-complexity business application costs 4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA, or 6,100 to 10,670 EUR. The price depends mainly on the number of client operators and the depth of integration with their portals.
Does the app work without network coverage in the field?
Yes, offline mode is built in from day one: technicians capture data and photos without a connection, and sync happens as soon as 3G returns. Photos are compressed to around 300 KB to limit data usage.
Can we handle several operators with different report formats?
Yes, each operator gets its own export template. Expect 300,000 to 600,000 FCFA (460 to 910 EUR) extra per complex format added after delivery.
How long until we are operational?
Between 12 and 16 weeks, including a 2-week pilot with a few crews. The first gains on report rejections usually show up in the first month of rollout.
Who owns the data and the code?
The subcontractor owns its data, hosted on a dedicated server. Source code is handed over at delivery, and monthly maintenance at 75,000 to 120,000 FCFA remains optional.
Let's scope your project. We will map your crew count, your operators' report formats and an indicative budget between 4 and 7 million FCFA, for go-live in 12 to 16 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.
