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Quantum Network Demonstrated at SPIEF 2019

Quantum Network Demonstrated at SPIEF 2019

Gazprombank, Sberbank, PwC, and the Russian Quantum Center (RQC) demonstrated how the quantum network works at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The event was held with the support of the Roscongress Foundation.The quantum key distribution devices of the Russian Quantum Center were used to hold a secure video conferencing between the stands of all three partners. Equipment supplied by the company Qrate could serve as the basis for building a nationwide multi-node secure communications network for the banking system and the public sector.

“According to the roadmap that has been approved, Russia should close the gap with world leaders in quantum computing and reach the global level in quantum communications by 2024. Russian companies should take at least an 8% share of the global quantum communications market, including developing exports to the countries of the CIS, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the BRICS countries”, Adviser to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov said.

A fibre-optic data transmission channel with two-way encryption was used for video communication. The keys for data encryption were transmitted via a separate optical channel using the quantum key distribution devices of the RQC and Qrate, thereby ensuring maximum data protection.

“We are seeing considerable growth in interest in quantum-protected communication lines projects on the part of major players. Rostelecom demonstrated the working concept of a quantum network in which RQC and Qrate equipment was used in St. Petersburg on 7 June. We are very pleased that the largest Russian fixed-line operator has become involved in developing this promising segment. The joint presentation of the quantum communication devices in action between the nodes of several partners demonstrates our readiness to create a full-fledged nationwide quantum key distribution network that all market players can use”, RQC CEO Ruslan Yunusov said.

Quantum communications are already part of the Chinese economy, where both terrestrial and satellite quantum networks are built. In Russia, this segment is one of the three key focuses of the Quantum Technologies roadmap of the national Digital Economy project.

The RQC and National University of Science and Technology MISiS presented the final version of the Quantum Technologies roadmap in May 2019. The document contains key metrics and plans for the country’s technological breakthrough in quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensors. The requirements, indicators, and methodologies described in the roadmap will serve as a guideline to follow for research groups, institutions, and industries until 2024. These activities should result in the emergence of several dozen startups in quantum technologies in the country that can equally compete with companies from the United States, European Union, and China.


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