April 08, 2025 -- The DemoQuanDT project (January 2022 to December 2024), funded by the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF), aimed to develop and demonstrate a secure and vendor-independent QKD (Quantum Key Distribution) network in Germany. The focus was on setting up a test route between Berlin and Bonn, involving various QKD hardware manufacturers and utilizing existing fiber-optic infrastructure and regular operational sites.

In late March 2025, the DemoQuanDT consortium submitted a paper, which is now available online. The preprint describes a groundbreaking achievement: the creation of a quantum-secured link over 923 km between Berlin and Bonn. The project thus not only demonstrates the technical feasibility of integrating QKD into existing network infrastructures, but also the scalability and practical implementation in a real-world carrier environment.

The consortium includes Deutsche Telekom Technik GmbH, Adva Network Security GmbH, KEEQuant GmbH, Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity GmbH, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences and the Technical University of Darmstadt. The milestone achieved is considered a significant step towards a nationwide Quantum Communication Network and an important contribution to strengthening national cybersecurity.