Innovations for Secure Mobile Communications in the Quantum-era

Quantum technologies are expected to play a strong role in the evolution of information- and communication networks. In the future, the broader application of post-quantum cryptography (PQC), quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum computing in modern communication networks can be expected.

Building on ~10 years of research in quantum technologies, Telefónica has recently carried out several noteworthy real-world trials: Quantum-safe IoT connections were established to secure critical information in operational environments. Post-quantum encryption was used to remote-control a submarine in a private 5G network. In another trial, Telefónica deployed QKD to link two hospitals to transfer sensitive health data. At the same time, Telefónica is also exploring the co-existence of quantum and classical channels for QKD in fiber networks. Furthermore, Telefónica is also carrying out one of the first coordinated efforts to test multiple quantum technologies in a cloud environment. With this overview Telefónica demonstrates that quantum technologies can be expected to play a stronger role in future communication networks.