SK Telecom (SKT) announced on April 5 that it has succeeded in developing the world's first automatic control and operation technology that provides quantum keys by virtualizing quantum cryptographic communication networks composed of communication equipment from different manufacturers into one integrated network.
Until now, it was impossible to connect the quantum cryptographic communication network if the manufacturer, carrier, or country was different, but with the integrated technology developed by SKT this time, it is possible to connect quantum cryptographic communication between various manufacturers, mobile carriers, and countries.
SKT applied its own optimal path algorithm to quantum cryptographic communication network integration technology, so that quantum keys can be automatically provided to encryption devices by calculating various routes in the quantum cryptographic communication integrated virtual network.
SKT announced that it had successfully demonstrated the technology in the Korea advanced Research Network (KOREN), a national test network.
In order to virtualize and automatically control and operate quantum cryptography communication networks, standards between quantum cryptography equipment and software control platforms are an important factor. Based on the results of development and demonstration of the technology, SKT has been promoting standardization by sharing cases with global carriers.
SKT proposed two standardization tasks to the European Telecommunication Standardization Organization (ETSI) to prepare standards for integrating quantum cryptographic communication networks, and in March, it was adopted as a standardization task by the "Industry Standards Group (ISG) QKD" under ETSI.
If SKT's standardization task is approved as a global standard, it will be possible to secure a technical basis for constructing one large network by interlocking quantum cryptographic communication networks individually built by each operator. SKT plans to continue researching additional necessary technologies such as service linkage and quality control for standardization approval.
In addition, SKT expects to strengthen the global competitiveness of domestic companies and activate the quantum cryptography ecosystem at home and abroad through the development of quantum cryptographic communication network integration technology and research on standardization tasks.
As part of this, SKT recently started cooperation in technology development, and presented an application case of next-generation transmission encryption technology and a quantum cryptography demonstration proposal at the Innovative Optical & Wireless Network (IOWN) global forum, a global next-generation communication standard consultative body. Encryption technology was also introduced.
“SKT, which started developing quantum cryptography communication technology in 2011, has various technologies such as materials, parts, and systems in the field," said Ryu Tak-gi, in charge of infrastructure technology at SKT. "Just as we developed quantum cryptographic communication network integration technology this time, we will continue to lead the market and contribute to the spread and popularization of quantum cryptographic communication.”
