Telecoms testing their networks for the future of quantum connectivity

The concept of a “quantum internet” might feel far off and far-fetched for those not so familiar with the seemingly futuristic technology, but for some working at Canadian telecommunications companies, the time for testing is now. Rainer Iraschko, principal technology architect with Telus Corp., told The Wire Report in an interview that he has been looking at quantum technology with Telus for four years, with an eye on the capabilities of the tech and the opportunities that come with it. “Even though quantum computers aren't sitting in your home right now in front of you, will the day come that happens? Maybe. Is that what I'm worried about? No, Telus doesn't build computers. That's Dell, that's IBM,” Iraschko says. While quantum technology proposes to support more secure communication for services such as banking, health care, and government operations using quantum encryption, as the tech matures, it also threatens to break current security systems by cracking traditional encryption, potentially putting sensitive data at risk. “Telus is very concerned about the security of our network for our customers – and it's not just about the messages, the online meetings we have, the Instagram photos we share. It's about all the banking transactions you do, the purchases you make online…but all that's encrypted and subject to being broken by quantum computers,” Iraschko says. Such concerns lead Telus’ to want to keep up with developments in the tech. Rainer Iraschko, principal technology architect with Telus Corp. (Photo: Submitted by Telus) Telus announced this fall that it is working with Photonic Inc., a quantum tech company based in Telus’ home province of British Columbia, to test Photonic’s quantum technology. In May, Photonic announced it was able to demonstrate “distributed quantum entanglement,” or the entangling of two qubits – basic units of quantum information – at a distance, a feat it says allows for scalability of quantum computing. Now, it’s looking to test the work it has done in its lab on a real communication network such as Telus’ fibre infrastructure. “Entanglement basically says, if I have two quantum objects that exhibit quantum properties…I can get them to interact with each other. And so when one changes, the other one changes instantaneously. So that's called entanglement,” explained Photonic CEO Paul Terry in an interview with The Wire Report. But, Iraschko notes, telecommunications companies use equipment called fibre amplifiers as part of their infrastructure, which boost the power of light signals as they travel through fibre optical networks. When entangled photons try to pass through these amplifiers, the entanglement is broken, therefore disrupting the quantum connection they had and causing the information they shared to be lost. With the future of quantum computing on the way, Iraschko says telecoms have to think about how they can architect their networks in a way that deals with such problems. One way could be by building quantum repeaters, he notes. That tech is subject to extensive research, Iraschko says, and is something the Photonic system proposes to be able to do. Telecom network amplifiers are capable of boosting signals but they are not built to handle quantum information, which is more fragile. But with quantum repeaters, that information could be preserved as it travels, even over longer distances than previously possible as quantum researchers seek to scale the tech. Photonic CEO Terry says the collaboration with Telus will allow it to continue testing two things: distributed quantum entanglement and quantum-safe connections between multiple points across a carrier network. “If you're going to deploy a quantum internet or quantum network, a key component of that is going to be sending quantum signals at a long distance, which actually requires a quantum repeater,” Terry says. Paul Terry, CEO of Photonic (Photo: Submitted/Photonic) During this specific collaboration, Photonic is using 30 kilometers of dark fibre belonging to Telus in B.C. – fibre that is usable but not actively being used to provide service to consumers. That fibre has been configured to test “increasingly complex” quantum networking and quantum encryption “for ultra-secure, tamper-evident transfer of information over long distances,” Telus noted in a press release on the collaboration. The fibre is connected to Telus’ national network, which allows for potential nationwide testing in the future due to its connection to Telus’ central office. Iraschko is interested in determining exactly how good Telus’ infrastructure is at transporting entangled bits, to both test the telco’s networks and be ready for the future of quantum computing. “We view quantum communications and the quantum internet as the next frontier of digital communications…It’s going to enable new functionality, new capabilities, new opportunities.” Being ready to defend infrastructure against the potential threat of quantum tech being used for nefarious purposes such as breaking existing encryption would be a plus, Iraschko says. Governments paying attention to need for secure quantum communications In early 2023, the federal government announced the launch of its “national quantum strategy,” which includes goals to establish a “a national secure quantum communications network and a post-quantum cryptography initiative.” “Quantum technologies will also enhance digital privacy, strengthen cyber-security, and safeguard digital infrastructure through secure communications – although in the hands of bad actors, advances in quantum computing could put sensitive information at risk,” government documentation on the national strategy states. “To remain competitive and expand future opportunities, businesses will need to take advantage of the improved capabilities offered by quantum technologies and help future-proof the economy.” The government, which noted during its 2023 announcement that it had $360 million available to it for its strategy from the 2021 budget, expects the “quantum revolution” to bring with it major economic benefits. It cites a study commissioned by the National Research Council of Canada which anticipates the quantum sector will become a $139 billion industry in Canada, with more than 200,000 jobs and $42 billion in returns by 2045. Iraschko explains that Telus is seeking to support more Canadian researchers working on quantum technology. He noted his involvement with programs for researching quantum tech – Telus is a partner of the Alliance for Research and Applications of Quantum Network Entanglement, led by a University of Alberta professor, and involved in a consortium led by staff of the University of Waterloo, as well as supporting a quantum communication test bed in Quebec. READ MORE: - Feds and Quebec invest $10M toward quantum communication test bed - Feds give $675k for UWaterloo cybersecurity project Iraschko also notes the involvement of BCE Inc. in a quantum testbed in Sherbrooke, Que. Bell did not make anyone available for an interview on its quantum work, but a spokesperson for the company told The Wire Report in an email that it is a partner with the Université de Sherbrooke and the innovation zone of Kirq, the same group behind the quantum communications testbed Telus is involved with. “Through the testbed project Bell is developing, designing, and testing its quantum roadmap and developing its own quantum capabilities as well as the quantum literacy of its staff to meet the growing demand of the quantum industry,” the spokesperson said. “The project is also providing exposure to academic research, local, and international companies in a field of interest, and exposure to innovative startups at the forefront of quantum internet.” The Bell spokesperson said the company’s role in the project includes providing unactivated black fibre communications links, access to telecom engineers studying a “quantum roadmap,” 5G experimental network access, working with 5G cybersecurity experts to “investigate the implementation of quantum security in the current 5G infrastructure,” human resources, and “assisting in the exploration and development of quantum services such as encryption and securing data.” hdaley@thewirereport.ca

Telecoms testing their networks for the future of quantum connectivity

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By Hannah Daley
| December 27, 2024

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