Quantum is on its way to outpace acclaimed technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. Among the various quantum technologies developed so far, quantum communication is arguably more mature and ready for practical applications. Simply put, it refers to communication channels that leverage laws of quantum physics to protect data and, theoretically, is much more secure than traditional ways of transmitting data.
Quantum communication is seen as the need of the hour to support data transfer across sectors such as finance, defence and healthcare, where data privacy and security are of utmost importance. Sensitive data is typically encrypted and then transmitted through fibre optic cables and other channels. The data and the keys are sent as classical bits, which are a stream of electrical or optical pulses denoting 0s and 1s. This makes them vulnerable to hackers who can read and copy these bits without leaving a trace. The core of quantum communication is quantum key distribution (QKD), which uses quantum state particles, mostly photons of light, for transmitting data through optical cables. The particles are known as quantum bits or qubits. If a hacker tries to decode the qubits in transit, their super-fragile quantum state collapses to either 1 or 0. This means that the data cannot be tampered with without leaving traces of activity. Thus, these networks are said to be ultra secure.
While quantum communication has been demonstrated in labs for years, its applications have now advanced to the point where it can be commercialised. A look at the key developments across the globe and the way forward…
Global developments
In 2016, China launched the world’s first quantum communication satellite (Mozi/ Micius) and achieved QKD with two ground stations 2,600 km apart. In 2017, an over 2,000 km long optical fibre network was completed for QKD between Beijing and Shanghai. During the same year, Micius was employed to perform the world’s first quantum-encrypted virtual teleconference between Beijing and Vienna. Using trusted relays, the ground-based fibre network and the satellite-to-ground links were integrated to serve over 150 industrial users across China, including state and local banks, municipal power grids and e-government websites. More recently, in 2022, China launched a new quantum satellite “Jinan 1” which it claims could be the first step towards establishing an ultra-secure communications network with global coverage.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is working with all 27 EU member states and the European Space Agency to design, develop and deploy the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI). It will comprise a terrestrial segment relying on fibre communication networks linking strategic sites at the national and cross-border levels, and a space segment based on satellites. EuroQCI will integrate innovative quantum communication technologies into existing communication infrastructure to safeguard sensitive data and critical infrastructure. According to the European Commission, it will reinforce the protection of Europe’s governmental institutions, data centres, hospitals and energy grids. It is considered one of the main pillars of the EU’s new Cybersecurity Strategy. As part of EuroQCI, EU member countries will implement their own programmes to deploy national QCI networks.
Further, Israel launched its first satellite in January 2023 to advance research into optical and quantum communication from space. The Government of South Korea is reportedly considering commercialising quantum communication. The National Intelligence Service, the chief intelligence agency for overseeing the country’s cybersecurity, will soon commence the screening and authorisation process for quantum communication. In Germany, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding 36 institutions in the Innovation Hub for Quantum Communication to link research institutes and companies, and expand the existing test environments for quantum communication technology. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in Japan has commissioned 12 organisations to start research and development (R&D) on a global quantum communications network. The project explores four technological targets – quantum communication link technology for high speed, long distance and high-availability links in quantum communication networks; trusted node technology that ensures the robustness and tampers resistance of cryptographic key management systems, and improves the confidentiality, integrity and availability of quantum communication; quantum relay technology that extends distances and secures cryptographic key relays on the ground; and wide area network construction and operation technology, which manages and controls wide area and large-scale quantum communication networks. In March 2023, Ericsson Canada announced a new quantum research hub in Montreal as part of its cutting-edge global quantum research agenda. The hub will host research projects that aim to explore quantum-based algorithms for accelerating processing in telecom networks and distributed quantum computing.
The India story
The country is making incremental progress towards the development of quantum communication. In 2018, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) unveiled the Quantum-Enabled Science & Technology programme and committed to investing Rs 800 million over the next three years to accelerate research. In the Union Budget 2020, the government announced the National Mission for Quantum Technologies and Applications with a total outlay of Rs 80 billion over five years for strengthening the quantum industry in the country. In 2021, the government also inaugurated the Centre for Development of Telematics’ (C-DOT) quantum communication lab and launched an indigenously developed QKD solution, which can support a distance of more than 100 km on standard optical fibre. With this, C-DOT became the first organisation in India to offer a complete portfolio of indigenous quantum secure telecom products and solutions to comprehensively address the requirements of telecom service providers and the defence sector. Further, the Indian Space Research Organisation demonstrated quantum entanglement based-real-time QKD over 300 metres atmospheric channel along with quantum-secure text, image transmission and quantum-assisted two-way video calling. In April 2023, the Raman Research Institute (RRI), an autonomous institute of DST, successfully demonstrated secure communication between a stationary source and a moving receiver using QKD for the first time in India. According to RRI, this breakthrough demonstration could pave the way for ground-to-satellite-based secure quantum communication.
Notably, India made a landmark achievement by operationalising the first quantum communication network in the country in March 2023. The quantum computing-based telecom network link is now operational between Sanchar Bhawan and the office of the National Informatics Centre in New Delhi. The system is developed by C-DOT. In addition, C-DOT has signed MoUs with various research labs and academic institutes to cooperate in the development and deployment of quantum optical communication technologies. It has also developed a solution to integrate the quantum channel and classical channel of the QKD system on the existing fibre carrying network traffic. The solution alleviates the need for dark fibre for the quantum channel and is suitable for greenfield deployments. The solution is also customisable for brownfield deployments.
In a separate development, RRI inked an MoU with the Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment, the R&D establishment of the Indian Navy, to undertake research in developing QKD techniques for the Indian Navy. The Indian Army, too, has initiated the procurement process of QKD systems developed by Bengaluru-based QNu Labs. With this, the army will soon possess indigenous and more advanced quantum communication technology and a high-end secured defence system.
To further drive the uptake of quantum communication, the government recently approved the National Quantum Mission. The mission involves a cost of about Rs 60 billion from 2023-24 to 2030-31. The key deliverables of the mission are satellite-based quantum communication between ground stations over a range of 2,000 km within India, long distance quantum communications with other countries, intercity QKD over 2,000 km and multi-node quantum networks with quantum memories.
The way forward
Quantum communication can be the solution to future data security challenges and developing hacker-proof networks in different verticals. As per industry reports, the global quantum communication market revenue is projected to reach $5.4 billion by 2029 from almost $1.4 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.7 per cent during the period. Quantum technologies are expected to revolutionise the entire paradigm of communications, encryption, securing critical national infrastructure, and even engaging in armed conflict in the future. It is perceived that the countries that achieve an edge in this emerging field will have a greater advantage in garnering multifold economic growth and taking on a dominant leadership role. Thus, it is imperative for both the government and private players to collectively develop and invest in indigenous quantum communication technologies.
Sarah Khan
