KT Develops Unified Equipment for Quantum Cryptography Communication Channels

Researchers at KT Convergence Technology Institute monitoring the unified quantum channel equipment system. Photo by KT

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] KT announced on the 7th that it has developed equipment that unifies quantum channels in quantum cryptographic communication.

Quantum cryptographic communication is a data security technology based on quantum cryptographic keys that only the sender and receiver can decrypt. Until now, to implement a quantum cryptographic communication system, it was necessary to build a pair of optical cables consisting of two lines: one for transmitting and receiving customer data and another for transmitting quantum signals.

The quantum channel unification equipment developed by KT features suppression of interference between optical signals, thereby increasing the signal-to-noise ratio. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the less interference between optical signals, reducing the likelihood of data errors. Therefore, data transmission and reception as well as the generation and distribution of quantum cryptographic keys can be done with just one optical cable line.

By utilizing KT’s quantum channel unification equipment, construction costs can be reduced, and quantum cryptographic communication networks can be directly applied to existing optical transmission equipment, shortening construction time. KT expects that the cost reduction in building quantum cryptographic communication networks through this equipment will expand the domestic related industry ecosystem.

Additionally, KT applied its self-developed quantum channel automatic switching recovery technology to the quantum channel unification equipment. This technology automatically supplies quantum cryptographic keys through a backup line when risks such as faults or hacking are detected in the quantum channel, enhancing communication stability.

Lee Jong-sik, Head of the Infrastructure DX Research Institute at KT Convergence Technology Institute (Executive Director), said, "With the development of this equipment, we expect to meet the requirements of defense and national communication infrastructure, where a stable communication security system is crucial. We will continue to develop quantum cryptographic communication technologies and services to provide communication services that satisfy our customers."

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