Toshiba Europe and Orange demonstrate viability of deploying Quantum Key Distribution with existing networks and services
Large numbers of operator data channels with high optical launch power can co-exist with QKD service on deployed fiber
Cambridge, United Kingdom, 6th June 2023: Toshiba Europe Ltd. and global telecommunications operator Orange have demonstrated the viability of deploying Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) on existing commercial networks to protect transmissions from being decrypted by quantum computers.
A new research paper presents findings from joint tests using Toshiba’s commercially available QKD technology, which shows how the technology can be successfully deployed on network provider’s existing fiber networks alongside their current data services. These findings could help network operators reduce the cost of implementing QKD by removing the need to invest in dedicated quantum fiber infrastructure.
The continuing advancement and commercialization of quantum computing poses risks to current methods of public key encryption which are likely to be rendered insecure. Toshiba’s QKD, which uses the quantum properties of light to generate secure random keys for encrypting and decrypting data, has been developed to provide protection against the power of future quantum computers.
Previously, this required network operators to invest in dark fiber across their network specifically for sending quantum information, increasing the cost and time to adoption. A technique called Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) has made it possible for QKD to operate on existing fiber networks by using spectral separation (utilizing different wavelengths of light to avoid interference) to allow the quantum signal to coexist with an operator’s classical data signals. However, previous tests have shown issues that affect the viability of such deployments, such as the possible number and power of the data channels, the effective network distance and the secure bit rate (sometimes called secure key rate or SKR) achieved.
Across 2022 and 2023, Toshiba and Orange conducted tests at the Orange Labs in Lannion, France, to validate the co-existence of QKD and classical data signals and research how different factors affect the efficiency of sending both classical and quantum signals over existing fiber networks running classical data services.
Through the tests, researchers from Toshiba and Orange demonstrated the effective co-propagation of the classical and quantum signals with high secret bit rates, allowing them to co-exist while still being capable of effectively delivering keys at distances of up to 70km, showing great promise for deployments in metro networks in built-up areas.
The researchers also made new findings that have led to the proposal of an updated metric to help measure the efficiency of such systems. Based on this metric, they determined that the new QKD implementation outperformed previous co-propagating experiments.
“This work shows that we can have co-propagation of the quantum channel with WDM data channels in the same fiber, without changing the engineering rules of the operational WDM links. The high secret key rate obtained in this configuration is very promising for the introduction of QKD in operator’s networks,” said Paulette Gavignet, Senior Expert in Optical Communication at Orange Innovation.
“Our commitment to security and innovation has led us to push the boundaries of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) solutions,” said Laurent Leboucher, Group CTO and SVP, Orange Innovation Networks. “It could be a key to offer unparalleled protection for optical transport networks. Together with Toshiba, we showed that it is possible to introduce new security functions in the operators’ networks without requiring the use of dedicated fibers. With this cost-effective approach, we pave the way towards a digital fortress, guaranteeing the security of our customers’ most valuable data.”
“The rise of quantum computing has serious implications for current security methods and organizations need to take action now to mitigate risks to their communications,” said Dr Andrew Shields, Head of the Toshiba Quantum Technology Division. “Validating the ability of our QKD technology to protect transmissions while using existing fiber networks is a huge step forward in making quantum-secure communications accessible for today’s organizations. Working with global operators such as Orange to conduct research and improve our technology has been vital, and we look forward to continuing our work in this area.”
Tests were run with both 30 and 60 multiplexed channels over 20 km, 50 km and 70 km fiber lengths. The researchers measured the secure bit rate (SKR) over the different distances to understand how effectively the system could successfully transmit quantum keys alongside classical data channels, as well as optical launch power of the data services.
The tests found that the high number of WDM channels used in this evaluation (up to 60 data channels) had a minimal impact upon SKR. Instead, it was found that the aggregated data channel optical launch power used in the system was the most influential factor on the SKR and successful delivery of keys. As a result, Orange and Toshiba have proposed a new metric – Co-propagation Efficiency (CE) – which can estimate the performance of the QKD system (its ability to deliver secure keys successfully with a good SKR) in a co-propagation regime while considering the total power of the classical channels and the transmission distances.
The paper demonstrated that large numbers of classical data channels at high optical launch powers can co-exist with QKD, meaning that the Toshiba QKD system can be used on existing operator networks in conjunction with their current data services – drastically reducing the amount of money needed to invest in and maintain QKD services, as well as time to deployment.
These findings have two key implications for the viability of using QKD to secure communications against attack by quantum computers at a commercial level. Firstly, it shows that the commercially available equipment evaluated by Toshiba and Orange is successful at allowing QKD to be more effectively deployed on current fiber networks. Secondly, the new metric developed by the researchers, which acknowledges that power (and not the number of channels) has the most impact on efficiency, may aid operators in network and service planning.
Using these results, Toshiba, Orange and other organizations looking to implement QKD will be better positioned to do so over existing fiber networks, reducing the overall cost of implementing this vital form of cybersecurity today.
To read the full research paper, please visit: https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.13742
For more information on Toshiba’s QKD services and quantum technology offerings, please visit: https://www.toshiba.eu/quantum/
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About Toshiba
Toshiba Corporation leads a global group of companies that combines knowledge and capabilities from almost 150 years of experience in a wide range of businesses—from energy and social infrastructure to electronic devices—with world-class capabilities in information processing, digital and AI technologies. These distinctive strengths support Toshiba in building infrastructure that everyone can enjoy, and a connected data society, and in achieving the Company’s ultimate goal, a future that realizes carbon neutrality and a circular economy. Guided by the Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future,” Toshiba contributes to society’s positive development with services and solutions that lead to a better world. The Group and its 110,000 employees worldwide secured annual sales of 3.4 trillion yen (US$25.1 billion) in fiscal year 2022.
Find out more about Toshiba at www.global.toshiba/ww/outline/corporate.html
About Orange
Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 43.5 billion euros in 2022 and 136,000 employees worldwide at 31 December 2022, including 75,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 287 million customers worldwide at 31 March 2023, including 74,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 288 million customers worldwide at 31 March 2023, including 243 million mobile customers and 24 million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present in 26 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan « Lead the Future », built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. « Lead the Future » capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange’s leadership in service quality.
