SKT Launches Subscription-Based Quantum Cryptography Service... Enhancing IDC Security

SK Telecom announced on the 26th that it will launch a subscription-based quantum cryptography communication service called 'QaaS (Quantum Key Distributor as a Service)' in collaboration with the global quantum company ID Quantique (IDQ).

'QaaS' will be first applied to the global digital infrastructure company Equinix. SKT has completed the establishment of the QKD environment at Equinix's SL1 data center located in Sangam-dong and has started the service.

SK Telecom announced on the 26th that it will launch a subscription-based quantum encryption communication service called 'QaaS'.
[Photo by SKT]

This case is significant because SKT's quantum cryptography communication service has been applied to a data center that plays a key role in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. Through this, various CP (Contents Provider) companies using Equinix's data center and their service users, among other customers, can enjoy the benefits of enhanced security.

The two companies are currently discussing protecting future global data center services with quantum cryptography communication technology, including Equinix's second domestic data center scheduled to open in early 2024.

The biggest advantage of 'QaaS' is that there is no initial setup cost. To reduce the initial cost burden for companies using quantum cryptography communication services, SKT launched 'QaaS' as a subscription model where users only pay a monthly fee without any separate installation costs.

Along with the launch of 'QaaS,' SKT and IDQ, together with Nokia, developed and applied new technology that reduces customers' quantum cryptography communication usage costs by more than 10%. Previously, to use quantum cryptography communication services, separate equipment was required: a quantum key distributor (QKD) and additional devices to apply the quantum keys generated by the QKD to communications. The three companies applied technology through a Key Management System (KMS) that allows quantum keys from the quantum key distributor to be directly applied to existing general communication equipment without separate devices.

As a result, corporate customers using 'QaaS' can not only avoid initial cost burdens but also use quantum cryptography communication services that protect data centers at prices more than 10% cheaper than before.

SKT and IDQ also provide integrated maintenance and support services for the quantum cryptography communication network to customers using 'QaaS,' helping them use the highly secure quantum cryptography communication service more conveniently.

SKT plans to actively offer 'QaaS' primarily to customers requiring high security, such as public institutions, medical, and financial sectors, secured through the Ministry of Science and ICT's pilot project for quantum cryptography communication construction and operation. In the future, SKT will also launch dedicated lines using a hybrid method that combines PQC (Post-Quantum Cryptography) technology to provide enhanced security.

Ham Min-yong, SKT's Chief Digital Officer (CDO), stated, “It is highly meaningful that we have launched a new subscription-based quantum cryptography communication service beyond traditional network construction through collaboration with Equinix, IDQ, and Nokia,” adding, “We will securely protect data centers, whose importance will be further strengthened in the AI era, with the best existing security technology that SKT possesses.”

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