ACO Tech and Deutsche Telekom IoT GmbH have signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) to explore international connected vehicle opportunities in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, bringing together Malaysian automotive technology expertise and global IoT connectivity capabilities.
The agreement, signed in Kuala Lumpur, is to explore how the two companies could work together to support automotive manufacturers expanding their connected vehicle programmes into international markets.
ACO Tech oversees a network of more than 500,000 active connected vehicles, making it one of the largest connected vehicle networks in Southeast Asia.
Deutsche Telekom IoT, part of Deutsche Telekom Group, provides international IoT connectivity solutions through a network of more than 600 roaming partners across 188 destinations.
The proposed collaboration will explore how the companies’ respective capabilities could help automakers manage connectivity across different countries and telecommunications networks.
Exploring SIM And eSIM Solutions For Automakers
Under the MoC, ACO Tech and Deutsche Telekom IoT will evaluate how international connectivity and connected-car services, including SIM and eSIM solutions, could complement ACO Tech’s automotive hardware and software ecosystem.
The potential cooperation could help automotive manufacturers simplify cross-border connectivity planning while supporting the development of connected vehicle services in international markets.
For drivers, the collaboration could eventually contribute to more consistent digital experiences when vehicles are used across different countries and networks.
However, the agreement is exploratory in nature, with both companies looking to identify potential areas of cooperation and future business opportunities.
Geely Among Potential Areas Of Evaluation
As an initial area of evaluation, the proposed collaboration may include connectivity opportunities involving Geely, alongside other automotive customers in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
The MoC does not establish a confirmed commercial deployment or a specific connected vehicle programme. It instead provides a framework for both companies to explore how their respective technologies and services could be combined.
The agreement was officially signed by Dr Li Pu, Chief Executive Officer of ACO Tech, and Benjamin Bastians, Chief Commercial Officer of Deutsche Telekom IoT.
Dr Li said the growing importance of connectivity in the modern driving experience has created opportunities for collaboration between the automotive and telecommunications industries.
He added that the companies would explore how their complementary strengths could broaden their market reach and unlock new possibilities for connected mobility.
Bastians said automakers expanding into new markets require connectivity that can support vehicles across different countries and networks.
He added that the collaboration aims to explore how international IoT connectivity and connected-car services could complement ACO Tech’s automotive technology solutions, helping manufacturers simplify connectivity planning and establish a foundation for scalable digital experiences.
ACO Tech’s Role In Connected Mobility
Established in 2019, ACO Tech is a Malaysian smart mobility provider formed as a joint venture between PROTON, ECARX and Altel Communications.
Its technology portfolio includes in-car assistance, intelligent navigation, big data and IoT cloud solutions.
The company has developed a connected vehicle ecosystem serving more than 500,000 active vehicles, providing a foundation for its exploration of international opportunities.
The MoC with Deutsche Telekom IoT marks a step towards closer engagement between the two companies as they assess potential ways to expand connected vehicle services across international markets.
