Techfund refers to credits from mobile network operators (or mobile providers) for hardware. Companies can use these to purchase mobile devices from the operator/provider at a fixed amount.
As part of an operating cost analysis to determine the total cost of ownership, it should be noted that the use of a techfund usually extends the term of existing mobile communications contracts. If bundles with subsidized hardware are involved, a business phone plan with a basic fee that is actually too high is therefore extended, which considerably reduces the cost benefits of the techfund. Analysis can then be used to identify alternative strategies, such as a buy-and-rent-back scenario or a rental model for company cell phones.