By 2030, physicists expect the advent of a new version of the quantum internet, marking a significant leap in the evolution of the internet.
Over the years, technological innovation has made the world increasingly reliant on it, emphasizing technology’s ability to weave itself into the fabric of our daily lives. People’s desire to simplify and enhance life through more efficient yet intuitive solutions stands at the center of the advancement and growing reliance on technology and information.
Bearing this in mind, the internet stands as a transformational force, revolutionizing the way we connect and communicate with people across the globe and reforming businesses and organizations.
As we embrace the dawn of this new digital era, the advent of the quantum internet will mark a significant digital leap, revolutionizing our world.
A Quantum Leap in the Age of the Internet
In this digital era, the internet has become the most accessible platform for obtaining information, a luxury previously out of reach for some people. Knowledge can be accessed through one’s fingertips, empowering individuals to excel in academia, their career, and innovation.
This unprecedented development in knowledge accessibility has driven progress in various industries, particularly in the information, communications, and technology (ICT) sector.
However, the more the internet evolved, the more it became susceptible to cyberattacks and misuse. Recognizing its immense power, technology experts have found a way to revolutionize the internet, transforming it with ultra-level security in the form of the quantum internet.
According to Nokia, the next phase of the internet will be quantum, highlighting the limitless potential of quantum computing, based on ones and zeros.
The quantum internet is an ultra-advanced version of today’s internet based on the principles of quantum mechanics, connecting quantum computers across the globe. By harnessing the laws of physics, the internet of the future will provide a safe space for data and communication, ensuring the confidentiality of information.
Quantum bits, known as qubits, are the basic unit of information in quantum computing and must be transferred across a network of quantum devices such as quantum computers and processors.
For the quantum internet to function, quantum entanglement—allowing the instantaneous transfer of information over long distances using quantum states—must occur. When the power of the quantum entanglement is harnessed fully, it will connect separate quantum computers into a larger and more powerful machine.
Telecom Review Analysis: Navigating the Quantum Landscape: From Cloud Computing to AI and Beyond
Understanding the Possibilities
With the ever-evolving nature of technology, the possibilities are endless. The quantum internet promises a revolutionary era of protected communication that is almost impossible to hack.
However, the fragile state of qubits exhibits a challenge to researchers since quantum properties can easily be destroyed even with the slightest external interference, leading to the loss of information over long distances.
The quantum internet will forge a breakthrough in the realm of cybersecurity and the future of communication and data interchange will be safeguarded, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential and secure.
Faster and more efficient data transmission and advanced communication networks with enhanced capabilities could also be enabled, providing improved internet speeds, reduced latency, and ultra-secured communication channels that will benefit various industries including telecommunications, finance, government, and defense.
Read More: Tracking Quantum Developments From the Telecom Lens
Earlier this year, significant milestones were recorded in separate demonstrations in the United States (U.S.), China, and the Netherlands, each using different kinds of quantum memory devices to store a qubit.
In the U.S., Harvard researchers established quantum internet communication over a long distance using existing telecommunication cables in Boston, Massachusetts, demonstrating quantum entanglement.
This Boston demonstration connected quantum memory nodes made of silicon-vacancy (SiV) diamond slivers, acting as very small quantum computers. To date, it is markedly the longest fiber network between devices capable of storing, processing, and moving information, underscoring the significant role that quantum memory plays in the realm of quantum internet. Similar entanglement measures were also demonstrated in Hefei, China, and Delft, Netherlands.
These breakthroughs enable the quantum internet to provide more scientific experiments that could catapult industries to a more advanced level.
Also Read: The Race is on to Dominate Quantum Computing
Regular Internet vs. Quantum Internet
The quantum internet, an ultra-upgrade to the regular internet, is poised to provide new functionalities in data transmission and enhanced security. However, it is not predicted to replace the existing internet.
The regular internet encodes data encryption using bits (0s and 1s) and relies on encryption methods vulnerable to hacking. Data transmission depends on the efficiency of infrastructures, relying on electric signals and optical fibers, and is limited to the speed of light. The features of the regular internet are suitable for everyday use including browsing, streaming, communication, and data storage.
On the other hand, the quantum internet uses qubits, which can potentially exist at the same time due to superposition. This new technology is poised to offer ultra-secure communication through quantum cryptography, making it hacker-proof. This almost-unbreakable encryption can be harnessed through the implementation of quantum key distribution (QKD), which protects sensitive information and safeguards it from being hacked by quantum computers.
The qubits’ unique properties will enable the quantum internet to solve complex problems faster than regular computers.
Continue Reading: Tale of Innovation: Quantum in Telecom
Quantum in Action
Quantum computers already exist, marking the reality of the quantum internet in a not-so-distant future.
Setting the stage for the operation of Abu Dhabi’s first quantum computer, in 2021, the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) unveiled the cryostat, the initial framework for its quantum computer, which is being assembled in the UAE capital.
Notably, IBM’s Condor—the world’s largest quantum processor with 1,121 qubits, surpassing its 433-qubit, Osprey—will likely be a driving force for more quantum computers.
By 2029, Google aims to build a quantum computer, performing large-scale business and scientific calculations without errors.
Other companies aiming to advance in the quantum world include Microsoft, AWS Braket, and NVIDIA.
Realizing the extreme potential that quantum internet offers, government bodies including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the European Union have already launched their initiatives to support the development of this emerging technology.
Similarly, the Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) has been established to form a community with the common goal of establishing the quantum internet ecosystem in Europe.
Interesting Read: Unveiling the Cosmic Potential of Quantum Technologies in Space Exploration
In terms of telco-quantum convergence and mutualistic utilization, quantum-centric technologies are making a significant impact on the telecommunications industry. One of the key advancements is the implementation of Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM) practices that enhance cloud security for telcos. To safeguarde sensitive data and ensure robust security measures, CIEM practices are crucial for the secure operation of modern telecommunications networks.
stc Group has achieved a global first by deploying Nokia’s AI-powered MantaRay SON on a live network. Equipped with sophisticated AI algorithms, this solution represents a quantum leap in network optimization, enabling more efficient and effective management of network resources.
In the realm of IoT, 5G RedCap is transforming the landscape by offering a seamless interconnection of devices. This advancement represents a quantum leap forward, illustrating the future potential of an interconnected world where every device communicates effortlessly.
Fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) technology demonstrates another quantum leap in broadband technology. It provides unparalleled advantages in terms of speed and reliability, taking fixed broadband to the next level and meeting the increasing demands for high-speed internet connectivity.
Moreover, in 2023, e& became the first telco in the UAE to successfully implement the EUTELSAT QUANTUM satellite solution. This software-defined satellite expands 5G network capabilities, offering customers faster and more reliable connectivity. This deployment underscores the potential of quantum-centric technologies in enhancing network performance and delivering superior service.
Final Thoughts
While the quantum internet is still in the experimental stage, its potential to trigger another technological revolution is powerful. The once fictitious concept is now becoming a reality at an unprecedented speed, and it is only a matter of time before the world sees the quantum future.
Each new wave of technology has reshaped our world, and the quantum internet is only the beginning. The advent of this new age of internet will usher the world into a more civilized, intelligent, and connected quantum world.
Telecom Review Analysis: Can Quantum-Enhanced Receivers for Fiber Cables Minimize Capacity Crunch?
