Sparkle and Telsy test Quantum Key Distribution in practice

Italian companies Sparkle, Telsy and QTI Quantum Telecommunications Italy have successfully completed a Proof of Concept (PoC) project on secure communications based on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). The test was conducted on a high-capacity link between two data centers located in Athens.

PoC's goal was to explore new solutions to address the growing need for communications security, in a context where the volume of data traffic continues to increase and cyber threats are becoming more complex. QKD technology is considered one of the most promising solutions to ensure an additional level of security for data, as it leverages the properties of quantum mechanics to protect data, making it inaccessible to traditional cyberattacks and, potentially, to future quantum computer interception.

The PoC was based on a secure video conference using Telsy’s Antares platform, transmitted over a high-capacity link between Sparkle's data centers in Athens. The distinctive feature of the tested solution lies in its ability to provide secure connectivity using QKD technology on an already existing telecommunications network. This implementation demonstrated the possibility of integrating QKD without the need for additional dedicated infrastructure, such as new optical fibers, nor significant modifications to the metropolitan network architecture of Sparkle.

The Apollo optical networking system from Ribbon Communications was used to encrypt customer traffic and carry it over a 400 Gbps link, highlighting how QKD technology can be integrated with current telecommunications infrastructures without particular complications. This aspect is significant, as it represents an important step toward the large-scale adoption of quantum security solutions within existing telecommunications networks.

The QKD test in Athens follows similar initiatives by Sparkle. Previously, the company had successfully tested post-quantum encryption solutions both on an international VPN between Italy and Germany and on an Internet access service in Athens. These experiments confirm the company's commitment to improving the security and resilience of its infrastructures, anticipating potential threats arising from the development of quantum computers. In line with this strategy, Sparkle plans to commercially launch its Quantum-Safe Internet service by the end of the year, to be progressively followed by other security-oriented services.

The initiative by Sparkle, Telsy, and QTI highlights the growing focus on protecting telecommunications networks from the potential threat of quantum decryption, an issue that will become increasingly relevant with the advancement of quantum computing technology.

From a technological perspective, QKD represents a significant step towards future-proof communication security. The use of cryptographic keys distributed through the principles of quantum mechanics provides a level of protection that, theoretically, cannot be breached. This makes the technology particularly interesting for scenarios where data confidentiality and integrity are critical, such as government, financial, and corporate communications.