SKT Unveils World's First Quantum-Secured 5G Smartphone... Galaxy A Quantum Available for Pre-Order Starting Tomorrow

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Cho] A smartphone equipped with both quantum security and 5G communication capabilities has been released. SK Telecom, in close collaboration with Samsung Electronics, is unveiling the world’s first 5G smartphone featuring a quantum random number generator chipset, the ‘Galaxy A Quantum.’

According to SK Telecom on the 14th, the Galaxy A Quantum will be officially launched on the 22nd after a reservation sale from the 15th to the 21st, with a retail price of 649,000 KRW.

SK Telecom has installed the world’s smallest quantum random number generator (QRNG) chipset (2.5mm width x 2.5mm height) in the Galaxy A Quantum. The QRNG chipset generates purely random numbers that are unpredictable and patternless, helping smartphone users securely access specific services.

◆ “Protecting My Smartphone” Secure T ID and SK Pay

Accordingly, customers who purchase the Galaxy A Quantum can experience quantum security-based ▲T ID two-factor login ▲SK Pay biometric authentication protection ▲blockchain mobile electronic certification service ‘Initial.’ By generating encryption keys used in these three services based on the random numbers provided by the QRNG chipset, service security is enhanced.

First, when logging into T ID on the Galaxy A Quantum, users undergo a two-step security process: ▲primary ID login → secondary quantum OTP authentication. The existing ID login is supplemented with quantum security-based OTP (one-time password) authentication, providing stronger protection for users’ accounts.

T ID login is applied to 28 major SK Telecom services, including 11st, T map, wavve, FLO, T membership, and NUGU, making its practical usage extensive. Currently, there are about 19 million T ID subscribers.

Also, when making payments at offline merchants such as convenience stores and restaurants using the SK Pay application, previously stored biometric authentication information (fingerprints) is used, and this process is also protected by quantum security. SK Telecom is developing to apply quantum security to online merchant app payments in the future.

When a ‘Galaxy A Quantum’ user sets biometric authentication to ‘SKT 5GX Quantum’ in the SK Pay app, a message saying “SK Pay is protected by SKT 5GX Quantum” appears at the top of the smartphone screen during app use.

Additionally, quantum security is applied to the blockchain mobile electronic certification service ‘Initial.’ When users store various certificates, insurance claim documents, and other personal proofs in ‘Initial,’ a ‘Quantum Wallet’ is automatically created for secure storage. Furthermore, authentication procedures between the Initial app and issuing institutions can be used with confidence. SK Telecom plans to gradually increase the certificates available in ‘Initial’ starting this month.

SK Telecom intends to expand the related ecosystem to apply quantum security to more services in the future. They plan to share open APIs on the SK Open API homepage for developers and support technology development. Moreover, quantum security-based services will continue to expand across various fields such as 5G networks, IoT, autonomous driving, and cloud, creating new business opportunities.

◆ “From Networks to Smartphones” Rewriting the History of the Global Quantum Security Industry

SK Telecom, together with its subsidiary IDQ (ID Quantique), Samsung Electronics, and domestic small and medium enterprises, has succeeded in launching the world’s first 5G smartphone equipped with a quantum random number generator chipset. The launch of the ‘Galaxy A Quantum’ is significant worldwide as it allows general consumers (B2C), not just corporate clients (B2B), to experience quantum security technology in daily life. Until now, quantum security technology has mainly been applied to communication networks and servers.

The QRNG chipset, smaller than a thumbnail at 2.5mm width x 2.5mm height, incorporates the latest technology. Inside the chipset, a CMOS image sensor detects photons emitted by an LED light source, and by utilizing the quantum randomness principle?that the number of photons detected within a certain sensor area over a fixed time is unpredictable?it extracts random numbers.

These random numbers are provided to the T ID, SK Pay, and Initial apps and are used to generate encryption keys for each app. As a result, users can securely protect their personal information by using highly secure encryption keys.

As quantum computers capable of threatening existing security systems emerge, the importance of quantum security technology to defend against them is growing. A technological competition between the spear (quantum computers) and shield (quantum security) using quantum properties is accelerating.

Since 2011, SK Telecom has invested in the then-undeveloped quantum security industry, focusing on developing quantum key distribution (QKD) equipment and quantum random number generators (QRNG). After merging with IDQ, the world’s number one quantum cryptography company based in Switzerland, in 2018, SK Telecom has secured projects for quantum cryptography infrastructure in the European Union (EU) and the United States and achieved significant milestones such as applying QRNG to the world’s first domestic 5G subscriber authentication server.

◆ Free Galaxy Buds with Pre-Order... Daily ‘Galaxy A Quantum’ Giveaway for Quiz Participants

All customers who pre-order and activate the ‘Galaxy A Quantum’ between May 15 and 21 will receive ▲a one-month ADT Caps Door Guard subscription ▲two months free subscription to wavve (Basic) / FLO (All-in-One Unlimited Listening) ▲wireless earbuds Galaxy Buds. Customers activating after the 22nd will receive ▲a one-month ADT Caps Door Guard subscription ▲two months free subscription to wavve / FLO ▲either a 50,000 KRW Galaxy Buds purchase coupon (first-come, first-served), 30,000 KRW SK Pay credit, or 30,000 KRW Smile Cash.

During the reservation sale period, SK Telecom will hold the ‘National Quantum Challenge’ quiz contest on the official online shop T Direct Shop (shop.tworld.co.kr), open to everyone. Over eight days, daily draws will award ▲Galaxy A Quantum (8 winners) ▲Nomatic anti-electronic hacking travel messenger bags (24 winners) ▲Starbucks Americano (4,800 winners). Additionally, customers who reserve and activate via T Direct Shop will be entered into draws for pure gold keys (50 winners) and 30,000 KRW Shinsegae Department Store mobile gift certificates (400 winners).

Customers wishing to reduce the purchase burden of the ‘Galaxy A Quantum’ can receive benefits worth about 1.3 million KRW by using partner card double discounts, T Safe Compensation, and T Moa Coupons. Paying smartphone installments and communication fees with T Light Samsung Card and TELLO Lotte Card provides about 870,000 KRW in discounts and cashback over two years. Joining T Safe Compensation offers up to 330,000 KRW compensation based on returning a Galaxy S9+, and approximately 100,000 KRW worth of T Moa Coupon points can be used when purchasing the smartphone.

The ‘Galaxy A Quantum’ can be experienced at over 2,300 T World store experience zones nationwide. It features premium specifications such as a ▲6.7-inch large Infinity-O display ▲8GB RAM ▲4,500mAh large-capacity battery ▲25W super-fast charging ▲Samsung Pay. Its standout quad camera consists of ▲a macro camera capable of capturing vivid subject textures ▲a 64-megapixel main camera ▲a 123-degree ultra-wide-angle camera ▲a depth camera.

Yu Sang-young, head of SK Telecom’s MNO Business Division, said, “With the launch of the Galaxy A Quantum, we have rewritten the history of the global quantum security industry. We will continue to expand differentiated security solutions so that SK Telecom customers living in the 5G hyper-connected era can use ICT services with confidence.”

Gregoire Ribordy, CEO of IDQ, emphasized, “The quantum random number generator chipset is a compact, low-power product optimized for smartphones. The launch of the Galaxy A Quantum is significant as the first case of quantum security technology being applied to the mass market.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.