Podcast spotlight: A (slightly) deeper dive into quantum with Dr Andrew Shields

In Episode #15 of Orange Business Radio, Dr Andrew Shields discusses quantum technology’s impact on telecommunications, both today and in the coming years. The episode lands just as Orange Business and Toshiba have launched Orange Quantum Defender – France’s first commercial quantum-safe network combining post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD), on live fibre in Paris.

The quantum threat to current encryption is real and immediate. Shields outlines what operators can implement right now using QKD and PQC, and maps out how quantum networks will expand from metro links to national, continental, and ultimately global networks.

The conversation also explores the future: networks that will connect quantum computers for remote access and link them into distributed “quantum supercomputers.”

Act now on the Quantum threat

With 2025 declared as the International Year of Quantum – marking 100 years since quantum mechanics was established – operators are increasingly being asked by boards and customers what their quantum-safe roadmap looks like.

To battle the quantum threat, a defence-in-depth strategy is critical. This means deploying both PQC and QKD to protect against different types of attacks rather than relying on a single approach.

This isn’t theoretical future planning. Current metro distances of 150-250 kilometres are already commercially available. Twin-Field QKD technology extends this to 600 kilometres, while satellites and future quantum repeaters will create the global quantum internet.

Shields discusses live deployments in Paris, London, Tokyo, Singapore, and North America, demonstrating this technology is operational on actual fibre networks today – not just laboratory demonstrations.

Quantum-safe networking solutions are available now with clear technical and business paths to scale. The episode provides the strategic context and practical guidance needed to start the quantum journey today.