Adapting communication networks to the quantum safe era: lessons learned in the coexistence of polarization-entangled QKD and classical channels
Ane Sanz, Asier Atutxa, David Franco +2 more
The growth of communication networks and the innovation in technology have driven a rising need for advanced security solutions. With the rise of quantum technologies, traditional communication networks could potentially become vulnerable, posing challenges for academia, research, and industry. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) has emerged as a promising quantum-safe solution, but its integration into existing infrastructures requires extensive study due to challenges in real-world scenarios. This paper presents an innovative quantum-safe infrastructure deployment and an in-depth analysis of co-propagation, using polarization-entangled QKD in the C-band, coexisting with classical data at 100 Gbps via Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), and employing production-ready equipment within a real infrastructure. Results validate the coexistence of data and quantum channels within the same fibers, demonstrating the adaptability of traditional networks toward future quantum-safe ecosystems. In addition, the paper provides insights and lessons learned for similar deployments.
International Conference on Quantum Communications, Networking, and Computing (QCNC)•Mar 31, 2025•1 citation