SK Telecom said on Aug. 5 that its 'Proposal for Standardization of Integrated Management Standards for Quantum Cryptographic Communication Network', which was jointly proposed with its subsidiary IDQ (ID Quantique), has been adopted as a standardization task by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), which leads standardization of quantum cryptographic communication.
Since quantum cryptographic communication networks are built in parallel with optical communication networks, it is essential for carriers to manage the two networks in an integrated manner.
This task is to develop an interface (SDN orchestration interface) standard that includes software-defined networks (SDNs) that control quantum cryptographic communication in the overall network integration management of carriers.
Standardization of existing quantum cryptographic communication has been carried out in terms of the ability to provide encryption keys in independent quantum cryptographic networks, but it has been recognized that standardization of integrated management specifications with optical communication networks is essential.
In light of this importance, major European telecom operators Telefonica and Deutsche Telekom will also participate in the project, while SK Telecom plans to lead standardization as Rapporteur in charge of the project.
When the standards are completed, it is expected that the technical obstacles for the integrated management of the two networks will be mitigated when carriers introduce quantum cryptographic communication networks, thereby activating the commercialization of quantum cryptographic communication.
SK Telecom is a leader in quantum cryptographic communication technology and is actively promoting ecosystem through standardization in cooperation with global companies.
"SK Telecom is leading global standardization of quantum cryptographic communication in ETSI and ITU-T, which are leading global standardization organizations, and it is also strengthening cooperation with global telecommunication businesses to spread quantum cryptographic communication in GSMA," said Park Jong-kwan, head of SK Telecom's 5GX Technology Group. "We will create quantum cryptographic communication technologies that can be applied not only in 5G but also in 6G."
