Nokia and KETS Quantum Security are collaborating to lead the next era of scalable, commercial quantum key distribution (QKD). KETS Quantum Security is integrating its technology into Nokia’s global ‘flying kit’ quantum-safe demonstration kit.
Nokia is the leading supplier of optical networking systems for critical telecoms infrastructure and has developed a blueprint for quantum-safe telecoms deployments. These systems are crucial to protecting data from the threat of a quantum computer.
KETS, the UK’s most commercially advanced chip-based quantum-safe encryption company, has delivered its QKD v2.0 unit to Nokia. The resultant demo flying kit is now ready to fly and marks a significant milestone in the commercial scalability of quantum-safe communications.
Nokia currently operates mobile quantum-safe demonstration systems that travel globally to showcase end-to-end security solutions to Tier-1 operators and government clients. The Nokia ‘flying kit’ with KETS Quantum Security features a full quantum-safe stack, including:
- Nokia Optical Networking Equipment: High-capacity infrastructure that consumes quantum-safe keys.
- KETS QKD Modules: Chip-based hardware that generates the fundamental quantum keys.
The integrated system has already made its international debut, appearing at the World Defense Show (WDS) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in February.
The QKD v2.0 unit provided to Nokia is the same security-hardened, server-sized architecture recently trialled by BT. By utilising integrated silicon chips for its optical heart, KETS enables telecommunications providers to source components at scale while maintaining low size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements.
The integration enables Nokia to demonstrate how quantum-safe telecoms architectures can be implemented using commercially available technologies, supporting a smooth evolution from existing network infrastructures.
Lisa Matthews, CEO of KETS Quantum Security, commented:
“The threat of a quantum computer is not a distant problem, it is a clear and present danger. The moment a large-scale quantum computer is operational, every piece of sensitive data currently being transmitted, from financial transactions to national security secrets, will be exposed.
“Industry is calling out for a solution to this significant challenge. So seeing our chip-based technology live in Nokia’s global demo systems is a testament to the progress we are making. By embedding our hardware into the very fabric of Nokia’s ecosystem, we are proving that quantum-safe security is no longer a laboratory experiment, it is a commercially viable reality that can be deployed across global transport layers today.”
Carlo Corti, MEA Optical Networks Technical Sales Leader at Nokia, commented:
“We are pleased to welcome KETS Quantum Security into our quantum-safe partner ecosystem. By integrating their Quantum-Key Distribution (QKD) hardware into our global ‘flying kit’ demonstration system, we are showing how their technology participates in a holistic, end-to-end solution to provide quantum-safe outcomes. This collaboration proves that mission-critical communications can be protected using a scalable architecture that fits seamlessly into existing technology stacks.”