Quantum technology has the potential to solve problems that are unsolvable by traditional computers. Although at a nascent stage of development, researchers at companies like Google, Microsoft and IBM, among others, are continuously trying to smooth out the complexity associated with quantum mechanics. The World Economic Forum (WEF) indicates that the global investment in quantum tech research and development totaled around $30 billion in 2022, with countries like China, the US, the UK and Canada leading in funding allocations.
As we are aware, conventional computers process information in the binary system of zeros and ones. However, quantum computing uses the qubits system, enabling an exponential increase in computing power by utilizing the principles of superimposition and entanglement. It also uses far less energy than conventional computers.
Quantum and Telecom
Quantum technology is touted to have a significant impact on fields like medicine, finance and cybersecurity, and the telecom sector lies at the center of these ever-dynamic fields. One of the most promising areas of quantum technology is quantum computing, including quantum communication (Qcomm) and quantum sensing (QS), among others. Experts are wasting no time in making the most of the potential of the Qcomm network. Leveraging quantum computing prowess, researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Maryland developed quantum-enhanced receivers that could address the challenge of efficiently managing growth in internet traffic, according to an article sourced from the American Institute of Physics. The receivers based on quantum properties can significantly increase network performance while reducing the error bit rate (EBR) and energy consumption.
Similarly, in 2022, Britain's BT and the Japanese company Toshiba launched the first commercial trial of a quantum-secured network to protect against encryption vulnerabilities based on the principle of quantum cryptography, which can be used to break conventional encryption keys during data transmissions. Quantum key distribution (QKD) uses photonics — the science and technology of light — to transmit the encryption key in fiber networks. When QKD is hacked in transmission, its state is changed, and the attack will be detected in real-time. BT will provide the end-to-end encrypted links over its Openreach private fiber networks, while Toshiba will provide the QKD hardware and key management software, according to the two companies.
In recent developments, satellite operator SES will be collaborating with its partners to design, develop, launch and operate a satellite-based end-to-end QKD system for testing and validating space-based secure transmission of cryptographic keys.
As more and more organizations move from static operating models to a hybrid world with multiple devices operating in multiple locations, accessing applications in the cloud, and being actively mobile, the challenges of cybersecurity for companies are bound to grow. Cisco’s recent Cybersecurity Readiness Index revealed that 15% of organizations globally have the “mature” level of readiness needed to be resilient against today’s modern cybersecurity risks. The index has been developed against the backdrop of a post-COVID, hybrid world where users and data must be secured wherever work gets done.
Key cybersecurity players maintain that even though the current quantum computer 1 prototype is unlikely to pose a threat to public key cryptography, it is critical to begin investigating resilient solutions. To that end, Thales, a leading cybersecurity player, created the first real-world application of Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) in its flagship secure mobile app, “Cryptosmart,” leveraging 5G SIM for PQC. For testing, hybrid cryptography (pre- and post-quantum crypto) was used in a phone call between two devices to protect the information exchanged during the call. The most common type of encryption, RSA, will become vulnerable once relatively mature quantum computers are available, according to experts.
Another growing area in quantum mechanics is Quantum Sensing (QS). QS is capable of detecting changes in the environment, including temperature, magnetic field and rotation, with a level of accuracy that is unachievable by classical sensors. Such precision results from the sensitivity of quantum states to minor changes in the environment. In telecommunication, QS is advantageous in receiving signals and amplification for radar communication, as well as calibrating electrical standards to support 5G/6G communication. Other fields such as infrastructure monitoring, navigation and environmental monitoring can also benefit immensely from QS.
Challenges
Quantum computing currently faces two main challenges to widespread adoption: the development of hardware capable of supporting quantum computation at scale and the creation of software tools that allow programmers to harness the hardware to solve real-world problems. The creation of satellite networks and the related ground infrastructure needed for QComm also presents many challenges that researchers are still trying to resolve.
Where Is Quantum Heading?
Indeed, the future of quantum technology will herald a new chapter in the history of the world. However, the overall development and commercialization timelines for QS and QComm products will still depend on the progress of scientific breakthroughs. Researchers are still working on building stable qubits and developing error correction techniques to make QCs more versatile. It is not to say that the progress thus far is a small feat; however, the future of quantum is a compelling storyline for the digital world.
Here in the UAE, Abu Dhabi is building the quantum computer in collaboration with Barcelona-based Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech. Once fully functional, the quantum computer can prove invaluable in diverse fields — from discovering new medicines to designing better batteries — and also help in multiple artificial intelligence applications.
Recent market studies show that the global quantum computing market size is projected to touch $125 billion by 2030 and likely to reach a CAGR of 36.89% from 2022 to 2030.
Quantum computer developers are expanding their presence across the globe to build public-private collaborations with the quantum ecosystem to explore applications and accelerate research, development and education of quantum hardware. For example, it will be interesting to monitor how quantum computing will figure into the standard of traditional data centers in the near future.
Countries like Singapore have made consistent investments in research in quantum technologies for several years, including the formation of three national quantum initiatives: the National Quantum Computing Hub, the National Quantum Fabless Foundry and the National Quantum-Safe Network.
“The fabric of computation is changing, and quantum computing is the harbinger of that change. It promises to address the challenges that cannot be solved using current computation techniques and empowers us to re-imagine customer experience and move towards a sustainable future at a time when energy requirements have become unsustainable, says Nikhil Malhotra, global head, Makers Lab, Tech Mahindra, a company that is focused on expanding its quantum offerings.