Toshiba and Orange have reached important milestones in quantum-secure data transmission, demonstrating the practical use of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) to protect information carried over fiber-optic networks. Through a series of controlled laboratory evaluations, the two companies validated QKD’s compatibility with modern telecom infrastructure and its ability to deliver secure, high-speed data links.
The test program covered several key achievements. First, researchers showed that QKD can coexist with a large number of conventional Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) channels on the same fiber. This coexistence removes the need for dedicated quantum fibers and enables more cost-effective deployment.
The teams then demonstrated quantum-secure data transmission at commercial-class speed—400 Gbit/s—over a 184 km fiber route. That demonstration used three QKD links and two trusted nodes, with one node configured to carry both QKD and classical data on the same infrastructure. These results illustrate that QKD can operate alongside heavy classical traffic while maintaining secure key distribution.
A central motivation for this work is the growing threat that large-scale quantum computing poses to conventional public-key cryptography. As quantum hardware advances, many current encryption schemes may become vulnerable, so organizations are exploring quantum-safe approaches now. QKD leverages the laws of quantum mechanics to create and share cryptographic keys with provable security properties, offering a practical path to future-proof data protection.
Integrating QKD into existing fiber networks presents engineering and operational challenges, but Toshiba and Orange showed these can be managed. Deploying QKD over operational fiber—rather than requiring separate fibers—reduces deployment cost and complexity, making adoption more practical for service providers and enterprises.
To replicate realistic conditions, the partners set up a 184 km network that reflects typical metropolitan fiber topologies, connecting multiple QKD links and trusted nodes. The Toshiba Quantum Key Management System coordinated the secure distribution and management of quantum keys across the topology, while encryption equipment from Adtran and Adva Network Security supported end-to-end data protection.
The experiments confirmed that quantum-secure encryption can be applied at commercial transfer rates across extended fiber spans and multiple trusted nodes, demonstrating QKD’s viability for real-world network deployments. These results indicate that organizations can achieve end-to-end high-speed encrypted communications using QKD without wholesale changes to their existing fiber infrastructure.
“Data security is the bedrock of our services at Orange, and we’re excited to reveal the successful outcomes of our collaboration with Toshiba,” said Laurent Leboucher, Group CTO and SVP, Orange Innovation Networks. “Our latest work demonstrates that quantum key distribution (QKD) can be integrated into existing regional network infrastructures, marking a significant advancement in quantum-secure communications. Working with Toshiba was essential to demonstrate that such innovations could benefit our customers.”
Toshiba and Orange evaluated two variants of QKD technology during the trials to assess adaptability across different network conditions. The accompanying technical report provides practical insights for operators and enterprises that are planning to introduce QKD as part of a quantum-safe strategy.
“We’ve seen many organizations move from assessing the quantum threat to taking concrete steps to protect themselves,” said Dr. Andrew Shields, Head of the Toshiba Quantum Technology Division. “These lab evaluations show our QKD solutions can be deployed on today’s operational networks for real-life applications without further infrastructure investment. It has been a pleasure working with operators like Orange to validate QKD’s viability, and we look forward to helping organizations secure their communications now and into the future.”
The collaboration between Toshiba and Orange marks a meaningful advance in quantum-secure communications, providing viable technical approaches to address emerging cybersecurity challenges as the quantum era approaches.
(Photo by Roth Melinda on Unsplash)
See also: IBM reveals surge in cyberattacks leveraging compromised accounts
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