Rostelecom’s ‘Key’ Platform Sets the Standard for Smart Utilities in Russian Housing

As Russia accelerates its digital transformation in the utilities and housing sector, one standout initiative is the Rostelecom Key platform—a smart ecosystem integrating a wide range of services, from video surveillance to emergency alerts, all within a single system designed for apartment complexes.

Digital Integration Across Residential Infrastructure

Rostelecom’s unified digital product for apartment buildings brings together smart intercoms with remote access, cloud-based video surveillance systems, access control (ACS) for barriers and common areas, intelligent utility meters, and a real-time emergency notification service. All of these services are managed through a single mobile application, giving residents an unprecedented level of control, comfort, and security.

The system is already operational in over 6,100 buildings across 335 cities, with 1.2 million users having installed the Rostelecom Key app. Its benefits span stakeholders: residents gain transparency and convenience; developers deliver move-in ready 'smart' buildings; and property management companies automate access and metering, saving operational costs. On a national scale, this accelerates the modernization of Russia’s utilities sector, enhancing public safety and quality of life.

Russian digital integrators are responding quickly to the demand for smart technologies, offering high-quality solutions. The widespread adoption of this technology in residential housing is likely to resonate especially well with Generation Z. While older generations prioritized homeownership itself, younger people increasingly value the safety and digital environment created by well-designed residential projects

Lyudmila Gerlitz

Director of the Research Department at Nikoliers Consulting

From Soviet-Era Buildings to Scalable Global Exports

Future growth hinges on two priorities. Domestically, the focus is on retrofitting aging housing stock—from Khrushchyovkas to post-Soviet constructions—which requires integration with outdated infrastructure and user training. Globally, the Key platform holds export potential thanks to its modular design and scalability. Unlike many international offerings (such as Siemens Desigo CC), which provide only software, Rostelecom offers a full turnkey solution.

This makes the platform especially attractive for markets across the CIS and Baltic regions, where aging utilities infrastructure and housing conditions mirror those in Russia.

Five Years of Rapid Evolution

Rostelecom launched its pilot project in Krasnodar in 2020. By 2021, 165,000 apartments were already connected. Between 2021 and 2023, Rostelecom Key integrated with third-party platforms and faced competition from MegaFon Smart Home and Tele2. It stood out for its emphasis on safety features.

By 2024–2025, the Russian smart housing market is transitioning toward fully integrated ecosystems like VK Connect. In response, Rostelecom Key continues to expand its functionality and partnerships.

The company's model of a single operator with full technical support ensures efficiency and usability—critical as the user base is projected to grow to 2–3 million by 2027, with annual increases of 30–50% driven by new construction and housing renovation programs.

Raising the Bar for Urban Living Standards

The platform's comprehensive approach offers long-term advantages. Its integration model simplifies life for residents while reducing friction for developers and municipal planners. Challenges remain, particularly in adapting the system for outdated infrastructure and convincing property managers—only 10% of whom are currently active users.

Still, Rostelecom Key is redefining what it means to live in a safe and efficient home. Its nationwide success is laying the groundwork for export opportunities in regions facing similar utility challenges.