2025 in review: Telecom gets entangled with quantum - Light Reading

TechTarget and Informa Tech’s Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and Informa Together, we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics, serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original, objective content from trusted sources. We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities. The past year has seen a steady drip of news related to quantum technology, with telcos increasingly thinking about improving the security of their networks. The passing year certainly did its best to live up to its designation by the UN as the international year of quantum science and technology, at least in the world of telecom. Even if commercial quantum computers are still years away, the industry is already grappling with what their arrival will bring. A big concern is shoring up defenses against quantum computing's expected implications for cybersecurity. The technology is broadly expected to crack common encryption algorithms, which are underpinned by mathematical equations that are for all practical purposes impenetrable for classical computers but vulnerable to quantum ones. The technology still has a long way to go before this becomes possible, but that doesn't mean it's too early to increase security. Apart from the difficulty involved in quantum-proofing all of a company's data and networks, the fear is that malicious actors can also store any encrypted data they can access now with the view of decrypting it later. This is seen as both a security concern for telcos – which need to secure their own data and ensure the networks they operate remain secure – and a business opportunity. The idea is to offer quantum-secure networks and communication services to customers or even help businesses with their own transitions. A good example of both approaches is Orange Business, which launched the Quantum Defender suite of solutions in June. Intended to help companies transition to quantum-safe technologies and algorithms, it includes both advisory services and technologies like post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD). Telefónica, meanwhile, made quantum a big part of its MWC Barcelona showcase, presenting several demos implementing quantum-safe communications technology. It also announced a center of excellence dedicated to the wider gamut of quantum technologies, including computing and sensing. Vendors are getting in on the game as well. Nokia, for example, announced a partnership to work on QKD over satellite, in addition to working on enhanced network security in other areas. QKD is a way of generating and distributing encryption keys using the principles of quantum physics. While its proponents argue that it's safer than algorithms defined under PQC, the role it could and should play is still being discussed. According to Nokia's head of quantum-safe networks, Martin Charbonneau, QKD isn't the only way to make networks quantum-safe, with solutions that don’t rely on quantum technologies also available. He did, however, acknowledge that the technology will continue to play a role because it is the first use case of quantum communications. Asian operators are also heavily involved in quantum projects, with a tracker by STL Partners published in July pointing to South Korea as the biggest market for telco involvement in the field worldwide. KT Corp, for example, launched a hybrid quantum-secure network combining QKD with PQC to provide protection for over 15 nodes on its 5G network in February. Other operators like China Mobile, China Telecom and Singtel have also made announcements related to PQC and QKD this year. Quantum computing is also touted as a way to help solve network problems. In January, for example, Vodafone tapped UK-headquartered ORCA Computing to explore the use of quantum computing to help with planning, installing and optimizing large mobile radio and broadband networks. The industry is also starting to ponder what effect quantum computing will have on network requirements. The summer saw the launch of the Quantum Datacenter Alliance, which counts companies like NTT and Cisco among its members. The group aims to figure out how quantum computers could be networked in future data centers. Nevertheless, quantum networking is still in relatively early stages. BT's managing director for research and networks strategy, Gabriela Styf Sjöman, recently told Light Reading a quantum network may start to emerge in five to six years, noting BT has yet to understand how it will be architected. Here's a look at the stories we've written about quantum technology during the past year: Eurobites: Vodafone, ORCA model future networks with quantum computing – 6/10/25 Orange Business casts itself as defender against quantum hackers – 6/16/25 Nokia tries to make quantum-safe networks go the distance – 06/22/25 NTT Data, Cisco and friends seek ways to network quantum computers – 7/4/25 What's the Story? Quantum computing meets telecom – 7/7/25 BDx and Anyon launch hybrid quantum AI testbed in Singapore – 7/14/25 Telcos make quantum moves with security as key focus – report – 7/14/25 Nokia Bell Labs explores security, connectivity for the quantum Internet – 8/7/25 Maxis first to debut quantum-safe networking service in Malaysia – 10/2/25 Nokia bets on sovereign quantum-safe connectivity – 10/6/25 BT is tuning its quantum radio tech for networks and defense – 10/22/25 Singtel and China Mobile advance with quantum comms – 10/27/25 Wireless price cuts rolled out this week suggest just how aggressive new Verizon CEO Dan Schulman could be in the fight to win back postpaid customers. Copyright © 2025 TechTarget, Inc. d/b/a Informa TechTarget. This website is owned and operated by Informa TechTarget, part of a global network that informs, influences and connects the world’s technology buyers and sellers. All copyright resides with them. 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