Toshiba and LQUOM Partner on Long-Distance Quantum Communication Research
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Insider Brief Toshiba and LQUOM have signed a joint research agreement to study long-distance quantum key distribution using quantum repeater technology. The project will evaluate combinations of QKD protocols and repeater architectures to address distance, scalability, and performance challenges. Running from March 2026 to March 2027, the collaboration aims to support future quantum communication networks and quantum internet development. PRESS RELEASE — Toshiba Corporation (Headquarters: Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan; President and CEO: Taro Shimada; hereinafter “Toshiba”) and LQUOM Inc. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; CEO: Kazuya Niizeki; hereinafter “LQUOM”) have entered into a joint research agreement to explore the extension of quantum key distribution (QKD) over long distances. This collaboration forms part of broader efforts to build long-term technological foundations and an ecosystem toward the realization of the quantum internet. In this joint research project, the companies will study the technical challenges and feasibility of extending next-generation QKD over long distances by combining QKD systems with quantum repeater systems, a key technology expected to underpin future quantum communication networks. QKD is attracting increasing attention as a secure cryptographic communication technology that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics and is theoretically immune to decryption even by quantum computers. Efforts toward its social implementation are actively underway across various fields, including finance, healthcare, energy, and inter–data center communications. However, several technical challenges remain in achieving longer transmission distances, higher speeds, and large-scale network deployment.Quantum repeaters are a key technology that enables long-distance transmission of quantum states without degrading them. They are therefore regarded as an essential component for extending the reach of quantum communications, including QKD, and are expected to become a fundamental technology for future quantum networks. This joint research project will be conducted from March 2026 to March 2027. The two companies will evaluate optimal combinations of QKD schemes and quantum repeater architectures—each of which has multiple possible approaches—from both performance and implementation perspectives to identify promising methods for realizing long-distance QKD. Toshiba will primarily study QKD protocols and architectures, while LQUOM will focus on quantum repeater system architectures. Through this collaboration, both companies aim to utilize the knowledge gained to further advance research and development in the field of quantum communications—including QKD and the quantum internet—and contribute to the realization of a secure and reliable next-generation information infrastructure.
Mohib Ur Rehman LinkedIn Mohib has been tech-savvy since his teens, always tearing things apart to see how they worked. His curiosity for cybersecurity and privacy evolved from tinkering with code and hardware to writing about the hidden layers of digital life. Now, he brings that same analytical curiosity to quantum technologies, exploring how they will shape the next frontier of computing. Share this article: