SKT contributes to the expansion of quantum cryptography by developing technology to integrate heterogeneous quantum cryptography networks.

SK Telecom announced on the 5th that it has succeeded in developing automatic control and operation technology that virtualizes a quantum cryptographic communication network composed of communication equipment from different manufacturers into a single integrated network to provide quantum keys.

Until now, it was impossible to connect quantum cryptographic communication networks when the manufacturers, carriers, or countries were different, but with the integrated technology developed by SKT, it has become possible to connect quantum cryptographic communication networks across various manufacturers, carriers, and countries.

SKT applied an optimal path algorithm to its quantum cryptography network integration technology to calculate various paths within the integrated virtual network, thereby enabling the automatic provision of quantum keys to encryption devices. SKT announced that it has successfully completed the demonstration of this technology on KOREN, a national test network.

Standards between quantum cryptography equipment and software control platforms are important for the virtualization, automatic control, and operation of quantum cryptography networks.

Based on the results of developing and demonstrating the technology, SKT has been pursuing standardization by sharing case studies with global telecommunications companies. Two standardization projects were proposed to the European Telecommunications Standardization Institute (ETSI) to establish standards for the integration of quantum cryptography networks, and were adopted as standardization projects by the Industry Standards Group (ISG) QKD under ETSI last March.

If SKT's standardization project is approved as a global standard, it will secure the technical foundation to form one large network by interconnecting quantum cryptography networks built individually by each operator. To secure this standardization approval, we plan to continuously research additional technologies required, such as service interoperability and quality management.

Meanwhile, as SKT recently engaged in technology development collaborations, it presented application examples of next-generation transmission encryption technology and a proposal for quantum cryptography demonstration at the 'IOWN (Innovative Optical & Wireless Network) Global Forum,' a global next-generation communication standards consortium, and also showcased the corresponding quantum cryptographic communication technology at MWC 23.

Ryu Tak-ki, Head of Infrastructure Technology at SKT, stated, “SKT, which began developing quantum cryptography technology in 2011, possesses diverse technological capabilities in the field, including materials, components, and systems,” adding, “We will continue to lead the market and contribute to the expansion and popularization of quantum cryptography by developing integrated quantum cryptography network technology, just as we have done this time.”