November 18, 2024 -- Telsy, TIM Enterprise’s centre of excellence for secure communications and cybersecurity, in collaboration with subsidiary QTI – Quantum Telecommunications Italy, a leading Italian company in the development of QKD solutions – and MEO – Serviços de Comunicações e Multimédia, a Portuguese telecommunications operator – has implemented a secure communication link at the quantum level in the metropolitan area of Lisbon on a combined terrestrial and submarine fibre optic network across three strategic nodes.

The trial, presented live at the European Quantum Technology Conference, demonstrates the ability to provide connectivity services protected with QKD on an existing network. Specifically, QKD technology was used to ensure quantum-level protection of the traffic generated by a videoconference between Culturgest, the EQTC 2024 venue in Lisbon and Sesimbra through Telsy’s Antares platform. The innovative solution was implemented on a terrestrial and submarine fibre optic network provided by MEO, which was able to adapt to the particular geographical conditions of the metropolitan area of Lisbon, thereby optimizing communications security in a complex urban setting.

The initiative forms part of the European project QUantum ecOsystems - EQUO, the EuroQCI industrial consortium led by the TIM Group and focused on the design, development and testing of advanced QKD solutions that can be integrated into telecommunication networks. In today’s environment, with growing data traffic density and the need to protect its integrity and confidentiality, QKD technology is one of the most promising solutions for providing an additional layer of security to existing communication infrastructures. By exploiting the laws of quantum mechanics, QKD offers unconditional security against advanced cyber threats from both traditional and quantum computers.

“At Telsy, we are committed to driving innovation in next-generation cybersecurity. This initiative demonstrates the effectiveness of Quantum Key Distribution applied to terrestrial and submarine connections, achieving a significant milestone for quantum-level secure communications and ensuring important technological advances for real telecommunication networks and cross-border interconnections”, stated Pierangela Pitzolu, Director of International Government Business Development at Telsy.

“Thanks to the power of quantum technology and our advanced QKD systems, we are helping to set a new standard in data security, positioning Europe as a leader in the quantum security ecosystem. The EQTC conference was the ideal setting to present this significant implementation”, said Tommaso Occhipinti, Co-founder and CEO of QTI.

This initiative, promoted by Telsy with QTI and MEO, marks an important step forward for the adoption of quantum technologies in the telecommunications sector and for communications security within the European Union.