- Deutsche Telekom and Qunnect sustain 99% entanglement over 30 km for 17 days.
- Second test routes entangled photons over 82 km alongside classical data with 92% fidelity.
What happened: Demonstration details
Researchers at Deutsche Telekom Innovation Laboratories (T‑Labs) and Qunnect conducted a field test in Berlin’s Quantum Lab. They used polarization‑entangled photons sent over 30 km of commercial fibre. The automated system maintained 99% fidelity with only 1% downtime. A follow‑up test routed entangled photons across 82 km of fibre while classical data ran in parallel. That trial achieved fidelity above 92%. Both experiments ran on Deutsche Telekom’s existing fibre‑optic network, without dedicated quantum lines. They demonstrate that current telecom infrastructure can support quantum links. The trials lasted 17 days for the first test and several days for the second. The work paves the way for a future quantum internet by showing stable qubit distribution.
Claudia Nemat, Deutsche Telekom’s Board Member for Technology and Innovation, said fibre networks are ready for quantum use today. Noel Goddard, Qunnect’s CEO, called the tests a vital step for real‑world quantum networking.
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Why it’s important
This demonstration underlines the viability of a quantum internet on existing fibre networks. It shows that entangled qubits can travel long distances with minimal loss. Stable quantum links are essential for ultra‑secure communications and quantum key distribution. The trials also prove that classical and quantum data can coexist on the same fibre. This reduces deployment costs and speeds adoption.
For industries like IoT, aerospace and finance, reliable quantum links promise enhanced security and precision timing. The tests in Berlin set a benchmark for other operators. They may influence global efforts to build sovereign quantum networks. By using current infrastructure, telecom firms can upgrade to quantum services more easily. Regulators and investors can now see practical results, not just theory. This milestone brings the vision of a quantum internet closer to reality, opening new frontiers in digital connectivity.
