Chinese Cars in Russia Stay Permanently Connected
In 2025, telecom operators in Russia actively expanded cooperation with their counterparts in China, as transport digitalisation began to take shape as a standalone services market.
The Rise of Connected Vehicles
Over the past few years, Chinese automakers have significantly expanded their presence in the Russian market, filling the gap left by the departure of Western brands. Consumers now have access to a wide range of models equipped with digital and electronic services, all of which rely on stable mobile network connectivity.
Telecom operators were quick to recognise the potential of this fast-growing segment and began scaling up partnerships with Chinese counterparts. Activity peaked in late summer and early autumn 2025, when two leading Russian players announced major agreements with companies from China.
In August, Beeline announced a partnership with China Telecom. The two operators agreed to work jointly on the digitalisation of automotive brands including Changan, Avatr, Xpeng, and others. The focus includes the development of online services spanning multimedia, telematics, and autonomous connectivity.
As Beeline’s press service explained, the Beeline Business project with China Telecom falls under the Connected Car model. Vehicles are equipped with a SIM card at the manufacturing stage. Once activated in line with regulatory requirements, the SIM enables interaction with applications, data transmission – such as tire pressure or cabin temperature – and over-the-air software updates without the need for service centre visits.
Opening New Opportunities
Ilya Vanteev, head of cooperation with domestic and international operators at Beeline, said the agreement marks an important milestone in the evolution of a new partnership model. According to him, it opens additional growth opportunities and strengthens mutually beneficial cooperation between Beeline and China Telecom.
It is also worth noting that Beeline brings years of experience in automotive digitalisation. As early as 2019, the operator began working in this area with French carmaker Renault.
Competition Intensifies
In early September, MTS announced the expansion of its partnership with Chinese company EcarTelematics (E-car Rus LLC). The agreement was signed during the Eastern Economic Forum 2025. The companies plan to deploy telematics solutions in Geely vehicles over the next two years, with the scope expected to expand to other brands over time.
By early autumn, the partners had already connected more than 50,000 vehicles from FAW, Sinotruck, and other manufacturers to their solutions.
The cooperation follows a similar model to Beeline’s work with China Telecom. Particular emphasis is placed on high-speed mobile internet and autonomous connectivity for vehicles. This allows Chinese automakers to guarantee reliable operation of digital functions in cars sold on the Russian market.
As MTS business market products director Maxim Ananchenko noted, the operator has held a leading position in the Internet of Vehicles segment for more than a decade. Today, over 90% of connected cars in Russia use MTS solutions. In total, around 1.5 million vehicles on Russian roads are equipped with MTS IoV services. This scale, he said, is made possible by one of the country’s most extensive networks, with MTS LTE coverage reaching more than 80% of the populated territory.
The Market Awaits New Entrants
It is clear that vehicle digitalisation in Russia is still in its early stages. While 2025 marked several critical steps forward, the market remains open to new participants. Additional players could soon enter the space, fostering healthy competition that, in turn, would drive technological progress and improve service quality.
There is also potential for Russian telecom operators to export their solutions to international markets. This is particularly relevant for CIS countries, where Russian players are systematically expanding their footprint.
