Telefonica Germany (O2 Telefonica) is integrating quantum applied sciences into its cellular community to reinforce efficiency and safety, particularly because the digital panorama evolves. By a collaborative pilot undertaking with Telefonica SA, Amazon Net Providers (AWS), Telefonica Tech as AWS consulting associate, and Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM), O2 Telefonica is exploring how quantum applied sciences can optimise community operations and implement quantum-resistant encryption.
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Quantum Applied sciences
Telefonica Germany says quantum applied sciences present new strategies to resolve advanced computational issues which are troublesome for classical programs to resolve, whereas additionally enabling quantum-resistant encryption. This pilot focuses on utilizing quantum computing for advanced community issues, resembling optimising cellular tower placements, and strengthening encryption protocols to safe delicate knowledge, in line with the operator.
One Million Customers on 5G Cloud Core
With AWS, O2 Telefonica launched a brand new cloud-based 5G core community this 12 months. On November 28, O2 Telefonica introduced that it had efficiently applied a core community through AWS cloud infrastructure, supported by the know-how of the European community gear supplier Nokia, now out there to 1 million prospects.
In line with Telefonica, the brand new core community presents rather more than 5G functionalities: it helps each 5G standalone (5G SA) and 5G non-standalone (5G NSA) in addition to 4G/LTE know-how. Moreover, it allows a variety of digital providers, from cellular telephony to knowledge utilization.
“We’re transferring away from conventional constructions and in the direction of versatile, fashionable cloud applied sciences. A million prospects are benefiting from elevated availability and quicker implementation of improvements. This paves the best way for our community of the longer term in addition to new enterprise fashions and providers,” explains the Chief Expertise Officer at O2 Telefonica.
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Quantum Applied sciences Remodel Cell Networks
The present pilot undertaking goals to make sure that future cellular communications are protected in opposition to quantum computing developments. O2 Telefonica is testing quantum-resistant encryption strategies, resembling Submit-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), to safeguard cellular networks from the potential threats posed by highly effective quantum computer systems.
The Chief Expertise and Enterprise Officer at O2 Telefonica stated, “We’re creating the required circumstances in the present day to leverage quantum applied sciences and their prospects in our O2 community for the advantage of our prospects. SIM playing cards, textual content messages, and video requires customers, corporations, and public authorities are secured with superior safety features within the 6G period.”
“Quantum applied sciences have the potential to rework telecommunications networks, enhancing safety, optimising infrastructure, and unlocking new capabilities,” stated the VP of Core Networking at AWS.
“Quantum communications know-how is extraordinarily demanding because of the must cope with single-quantum alerts. This pilot reveals how QKD know-how might be usefully built-in in a really advanced manufacturing community to safe real-world use-cases,” stated the director of the UPM analysis group on quantum info.
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Optimising Community with Quantum Computing
On this pilot, the quantum processor is being explored as a software for figuring out preparations that would maximise community protection whereas lowering interference, with the aim of understanding its future potential for such duties, in line with Telefonica.
In a single a part of the pilot, one of many quantum computer systems accessed by means of Amazon Braket is explored as a possible software to help in calculating optimum placement for O2 Telefonica’s cellular towers in Munich, the operator stated.
Quantum computing has the potential to contribute to optimising telecommunications infrastructure, resembling enhancing the effectivity of 5G and future 6G networks. This pilot undertaking aligns with the broader push for quantum safety in Europe, because the European Fee has harassed the significance of adopting quantum-safe cryptographic requirements, Telefonica defined.
The Chief Expertise Officer additionally added: “The query is now not whether or not quantum-based encryption might be required, however when. With this pilot undertaking, we’re trying forward and testing the required know-how in real-life use within the community in the present day. We’re implementing quantum applied sciences on AWS as a result of they are often utilized there extra effectively and shortly than constructing our personal infrastructure. We are able to additionally mix quantum-safe connections extra simply with the more and more cloudified telecommunications providers.”
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Getting ready for the 6G Period
Telefonica says that the insights gained from this undertaking will contribute to the event of future 6G networks, enhancing each safety and efficiency. These applied sciences could play a job in guaranteeing the safety of information transmitted throughout worldwide borders and between terrestrial networks and satellites.
