That's not true. To run a benchtop setup you just need an inexpensive SDR (LimeSDR, UmTRX or B200) and your laptop - that's not "high thousands". If you're deploying networks professionally, then yes - you'll spend thousands on proper base stations, software to control them, etc. But in the latter case you should have your spectrum license, so operating a BTS should not be an issue. Also see my post above about 911 services.