Deutsche Telekom and Qunnect Achieve Major Milestone Toward Quantum Internet in Berlin
The pursuit of a Quantum Internet has taken a significant step forward with Deutsche Telekom and Qunnect's latest collaboration. Early April 2025 saw researchers at Deutsche Telekom Innovation Laboratories (T-Labs) showcase their ability to sustain high fidelity transmission of entangled photons over a commercial fiber network. This pivotal achievement marks a significant leap toward realizing a fully operational Quantum Internet.
The experiment, conducted in a specially designed fiber-optic test track located in Berlin, involved transmitting polarization-entangled photons over 30 kilometers with an impressive fidelity rate of 99% over a duration of 17 consecutive days. This performance surpassed previous attempts in metropolitan areas, demonstrating not only the practicality but also the efficiency of using existing fiber-optic networks for quantum applications.
Key to this success was the deployment of an automated system capable of adjusting for fluctuations in environmental conditions, contributing to a remarkable 1% network downtime. Researchers are optimistic that as they refine these methods, the Quantum Internet can expand to greater distances and beyond. Utilization of the polarization qubits from this research holds the potential for safe communication protocols, which could revolutionize secure data transmission for both businesses and government bodies.
Additionally, a separate parallel study showcased the dynamic routing capabilities of these entangled photons over multiple pathways totaling 82 kilometers while coexisting with traditional data traffic, achieving fidelities exceeding 92%. This accomplishment, which has never before been performed over commercially deployed optical fibers, highlights the versatility of quantum technologies intertwined with existing communication infrastructures.
The promise that quantum networks hold goes far beyond steadfast communication. Their unique properties can support advancements in various fields, including ultra-secure communications, time synchronization for satellite systems, and even precision sensing in industrial Internet of Things (IoT) environments. As the expertise in these technologies advances, it is anticipated that quantum physics could dominate future telecommunications.
Both Claudia Nemat, CTO at Deutsche Telekom, and Noel Goddard, CEO of Qunnect, expressed their enthusiasm regarding this innovative collaboration. They emphasized that the functionality exhibited by the fiber optics today signifies readiness for the Quantum Internet and lays down the crucial groundwork for future endeavors in telecommunications.
In summary, the Toulouse event represents a triumph in quantum networking, bolstered by strategic partnerships across governmental, academic, and industrial sectors. With the establishment of T-Labs’ Quantum Lab in Berlin, housing advanced optical experiment facilities connected to an extensive fiber-optic network, Deutsche Telekom aims to lead in developing future-proof communication technologies.
Drifting into this Quantum future also necessitates the integration of strong quantum-safe communication protocols, a goal fundamental to T-Labs’ mission. Continuous collaboration with universities and research institutions will ensure that their projects remain at the forefront of quantum technology, ultimately benefiting their customers significantly as innovations materialize.
This remarkable demonstration reaffirms Deutsche Telekom and Qunnect's commitment to being at the forefront of the evolving telecommunications landscape, shaping a new epoch where quantum technologies redefine our understanding and utilization of connectivity.
The integration of quantum physics into the fiber-optic networks provides an exceptional platform upon which to build the networks of tomorrow while firmly establishing a new level of data security and efficiency. As their journey progresses, observations from this experiment will undoubtedly inform and inspire future endeavors along the path to a commercial Quantum Internet.
The experiment, conducted in a specially designed fiber-optic test track located in Berlin, involved transmitting polarization-entangled photons over 30 kilometers with an impressive fidelity rate of 99% over a duration of 17 consecutive days. This performance surpassed previous attempts in metropolitan areas, demonstrating not only the practicality but also the efficiency of using existing fiber-optic networks for quantum applications.
Key to this success was the deployment of an automated system capable of adjusting for fluctuations in environmental conditions, contributing to a remarkable 1% network downtime. Researchers are optimistic that as they refine these methods, the Quantum Internet can expand to greater distances and beyond. Utilization of the polarization qubits from this research holds the potential for safe communication protocols, which could revolutionize secure data transmission for both businesses and government bodies.
Additionally, a separate parallel study showcased the dynamic routing capabilities of these entangled photons over multiple pathways totaling 82 kilometers while coexisting with traditional data traffic, achieving fidelities exceeding 92%. This accomplishment, which has never before been performed over commercially deployed optical fibers, highlights the versatility of quantum technologies intertwined with existing communication infrastructures.
The promise that quantum networks hold goes far beyond steadfast communication. Their unique properties can support advancements in various fields, including ultra-secure communications, time synchronization for satellite systems, and even precision sensing in industrial Internet of Things (IoT) environments. As the expertise in these technologies advances, it is anticipated that quantum physics could dominate future telecommunications.
Both Claudia Nemat, CTO at Deutsche Telekom, and Noel Goddard, CEO of Qunnect, expressed their enthusiasm regarding this innovative collaboration. They emphasized that the functionality exhibited by the fiber optics today signifies readiness for the Quantum Internet and lays down the crucial groundwork for future endeavors in telecommunications.
In summary, the Toulouse event represents a triumph in quantum networking, bolstered by strategic partnerships across governmental, academic, and industrial sectors. With the establishment of T-Labs’ Quantum Lab in Berlin, housing advanced optical experiment facilities connected to an extensive fiber-optic network, Deutsche Telekom aims to lead in developing future-proof communication technologies.
Drifting into this Quantum future also necessitates the integration of strong quantum-safe communication protocols, a goal fundamental to T-Labs’ mission. Continuous collaboration with universities and research institutions will ensure that their projects remain at the forefront of quantum technology, ultimately benefiting their customers significantly as innovations materialize.
This remarkable demonstration reaffirms Deutsche Telekom and Qunnect's commitment to being at the forefront of the evolving telecommunications landscape, shaping a new epoch where quantum technologies redefine our understanding and utilization of connectivity.
The integration of quantum physics into the fiber-optic networks provides an exceptional platform upon which to build the networks of tomorrow while firmly establishing a new level of data security and efficiency. As their journey progresses, observations from this experiment will undoubtedly inform and inspire future endeavors along the path to a commercial Quantum Internet.
Topics Telecommunications）
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