Quantum
communication

Quantum communication focuses on transmitting information encoded at the quantum level, maintaining the delicate properties of superposition and entanglement over distance.

The technological approach of quantum communication has already enabled ultra-secure information exchanges and, and as the technology matures, will form a foundation pillar of the future quantum internet.

By creating entanglement between users separated by distance, quantum-native communication approaches – fundamentally impossible with classical networks, become achievable. These techniques enable direct links between quantum nodes or processing units, preserving information without the losses inherent in classical transmissions. Current implementations span photons carrying quantum information at telecom wavelengths over dark fibre, co-propagating quantum and classical transmissions over lit fibre and free space optical links.

Early applications

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

Enables cryptographic keys to be exchanged securely, with protection rooted in the laws of physics rather than computational complexity. Integration with existing telecom infrastructure is possible today, supported by global trials and early commercial deployments, including QKD offered as a managed device to enterprises. Ongoing efforts focus on extending reach, increasing key rates, and integrating satellite based QKD to support secure cross-border transmission and global coverage. QKD can serve high-assurance enterprise customers, reinforce data centre tenant separations, enhance network slice isolation, and enable further security-driven applications.

A woman in a white shirt leans over a keyboard, focused on quantum communication screens displaying complex digital code and data, creating a high-tech, futuristic atmosphere in a dark room.

Longer-term impact

As adoption grows, quantum communication will support distributed quantum computing, connecting quantum processors to exponentially increase computational capabilities as well as blind quantum computing, distributed quantum sensing, and emerging applications not yet envisioned. Over time, widespread quantum networking will give the rise to quantum internet, enabling new possibilities for connectivity, resilience, and service innovation.

Across the ecosystem, quantum communication protocols are advancing rapidly, driven by research, government investments, hyperscalers, technology vendors, and telcos. With extensive fibre infrastructure, data-centre interconnects, network operational expertise, and strong customer relationships across high-assurance sectors, telcos are uniquely positioned to become trusted carriers and integrators of scalable quantum communication technologies.

FAQs

What is the status of quantum communication?

Quantum Key Distribution is one of the most near-term quantum technologies, with existing widespread telco deployments in a number of regions and national programs dedicated to supporting and developing the surrounding ecosystem. Existing technical challenges remain, including distance limitations, and further development of and integration with satellite networks.

Similarly, QRNG and quantum entropy are rapidly approaching scalable deployment, with multiple network deployments seen over the past years.

Other quantum communication applications will develop over a longer time period. The past years have seen increasing innovation and ecosystem collaboration to achieve milestones in quantum communication – such as entanglement distribution over fibre, quantum information over classical channels, and quantum processor interconnect from telcos, traditional tech vendors, and researchers.

Will quantum communication replace traditional communication?

Quantum communication will not replace traditional approaches – it will complement and enhance them.
Traditional communications will remain the backbone for most day-to-day telco operations, as they are efficient, cost-effective, and mature. Quantum communication approaches will improve performance for specific tasks, like generating entropy for cryptographic primitives, and underpin new methodologies, like distributed quantum computing.

In practice, the future will be hybrid: classical and quantum working together, with operators using the right method for the right job. This combination will deliver more powerful, efficient, and scalable applications than either technology alone.

What is the quantum internet?

The quantum internet is a future network that uses quantum communication to connect devices, computers and users with security and capabilities far beyond today’s internet.
Instead of relying only on classical signals, it transmits information encoded in quantum states – harnessing properties like entanglement and superposition. This enables features such as ultra-secure communication protected by the laws of physics, distributed quantum computing that links quantum machines together for greater power, and advanced sensing networks with unparalleled resolution and accuracy.
In essence, the quantum internet will complement the classical internet, creating a hybrid digital infrastructure that is faster, more secure and more intelligent – a foundation for the next generation of connectivity.