Quantum is quickly moving from research to real-world relevance across telecom. From quantum-safe security to AI-assisted computing, operators are laying the groundwork for a range of applications. While quantum computing is often seen as a threat to encryption, it also promises major advances in areas like network optimization, secure communications, and large-scale simulations. Investments are underway across multiple fronts, including quantum communications, quantum-safe security, hybrid computing, and the convergence of quantum and AI.
As research deepens and investments grow, quantum may be approaching its own breakout moment. Understanding the intersecting tracks and timelines is key to shaping a successful quantum strategy.
Quantum Communications
Quantum communications is a broad topic that addresses how quantum capabilities can benefit areas such as transmission protocols, link security, and connected networks. Next-generation transport protocols use quantum physics principles to incorporate secure and enhanced communication protocols into the transport layer. Quantum key distribution (QKD), the most prominent quantum application, securely distributes encryption keys using quantum mechanics principles. QKD creates provably secure links for backhaul, data center interconnect, and critical infrastructure. QKD research is also addressing satellite communications, a likely requirement for 6G backhaul.
Quantum networks connect quantum processors or nodes that enable distributed quantum computing and secure communication. Quantum channels, often built on top of existing telecom fiber infrastructure, transmit qubits (i.e., the fundamental unit of information in quantum computing and analogous to the bit in classical computing). Quantum repeaters are essential components to extend communication over long distances because qubits cannot be copied or amplified like classical signals.
Quantum-safe Security
A key reason operators are investing in quantum is the risk it poses to existing encryption. Once quantum computers reach sufficient power, they could quickly break widely used encryption methods, putting today’s data at risk of future exposure. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is the new generation of cryptographic algorithms built to withstand future attacks by quantum computers. The first algorithms have been released by NIST and telecom operators and suppliers are starting to audit the network and prepare a multi-year rollout plan. Many telecom operators intend to apply powerful QKD encryption to critical links while relying on PQC for broader coverage, enabling a layered, software-upgradable defense.
Quantum and Hybrid Computing
Telcos are exploring how quantum computing can squeeze value out of existing networks. This effort focuses on utilizing quantum computers and algorithms to generate significant improvements in network efficiency and stability. One area of interest is optimizing network lifecycle management, including cell site planning, radio resource utilization, and energy-efficient network routing. Operators could also monetize quantum by positioning networks as secure gateways to public quantum clouds and offering future as-a-service offerings such as entropy-as-a-service.
How AI supports Quantum advancements
AI will play a key role in advancing telecom’s quantum research by improving the capabilities of quantum technologies and speeding their integration into telecom networks for tasks like security, optimization, and long-term AI-quantum collaboration. Here are some of the ways AI is being explored by telecoms to make quantum practical and impactful:
- Improving quantum algorithm reliability by predicting and correcting errors caused by noise, using models like transformers to mitigate issues before computations begin
- Automating the calibration of quantum computers, making them easier to use and maintain, reducing operational complexity and enhancing device stability
- Contributing to the design of quantum chips optimized for telecom needs, improving hardware efficiency and integration with existing telecom infrastructure
- Guiding quantum algorithms to solve complex telecom optimization problems such as tower placement and traffic routing, helping improve throughput, reduce latency, and enhance service quality
Telecom + Quantum: where we stand today
The multiple quantum R&D tracks operators are pursuing suggests a steadily increasing pace of advancement. Quantum’s “AI moment” could be upon us before we know it as signs point to an impending shift that could trigger broader investment and industry focus.
Prototype quantum communication networks have been deployed in cities using existing fiber infrastructure, demonstrating multi-node QKD without trusted nodes. Researchers have achieved quantum entanglement over urban distances and have demonstrated quantum teleportation between multiple locations, marking steps toward a scalable quantum internet. The first PQC algorithms are now available, and vendors are working to incorporate them.
Some telcos are already demonstrating using AI-supported quantum computing to optimize network traffic and more efficiently plan 5G cell site deployment. Quantum repeater research and development is accelerating with the first commercial solutions expected in the next few years. Quantum receiver sub-components (i.e., single photon detectors and quantum sensors) are now commercially available, paving the way for integrated quantum receiver systems in the near term.
Soon, telcos will initially access quantum computing through cloud-based services or hybrid systems that combine classical and quantum processors. Full integration of fault-tolerant, large-scale quantum computers into on-premises infrastructure is expected to take longer, likely unfolding over the next decade.
