CETIN Czech Republic, in collaboration with O2, has launched one of the world’s first commercial implementations of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) — a technology that uses particles of light to create unbreakable encryption.

The Challenge

As quantum computing advances, it poses a growing threat to traditional encryption methods. Algorithms like RSA or ECC, which currently secure global communications, could eventually be broken by powerful quantum processors. The risk is not only future-oriented — data can be intercepted and stored today to be decrypted later once quantum capabilities mature (“harvest now, decrypt later”).

Such a scenario would endanger critical infrastructure, digital identities, financial systems, and national security. To prepare for this quantum era, governments and technology leaders worldwide — including the EU, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and China — are prioritizing quantum-safe communication systems.

The CETIN Solution

To address this challenge, CETIN has built the Czech Republic’s first commercial quantum communication network using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology. The network securely connects CETIN’s two largest data centres in Prague — Stodůlky and Chodov — over a 25.5 km optical link, serving operator O2’s infrastructure.

QKD enables the secure exchange of cryptographic keys using the fundamental laws of quantum physics. Keys are encoded in the quantum states of photons (light particles) transmitted through a fiber-optic channel. Any attempt to intercept the transmission alters the photons’ properties, immediately revealing the intrusion and ensuring the key’s integrity.

The Prague QKD link is built using technology from ID Quantique (Switzerland) — a European leader in quantum communications — and integrated with ADVA DWDM equipment for classical data transport. This hybrid setup allows large data volumes to travel over standard optical infrastructure while encryption keys are distributed through a parallel quantum channel.

“This is not a plug-and-play deployment,” said Vladimír Filip, Director of Network Development at CETIN. “Implementing QKD requires deep integration, precision, and experimentation — but the result is a network that cannot be wiretapped.”

The Impact

CETIN’s implementation marks a milestone for secure digital infrastructure in Central Europe. It proves that quantum-secure communication is no longer just a research concept — it is a commercially deployable technology ready to protect sensitive data flows, including future 5G core networks and critical IT systems.

By introducing QKD in operational conditions, CETIN and O2 are setting a foundation for future quantum-safe networks that can extend across sectors and national borders, supporting the upcoming European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative.

The Road Ahead

QKD is a crucial step toward a post-quantum security landscape, complementing emerging post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards. As quantum computing power grows, CETIN’s pioneering role in this field demonstrates a proactive approach to safeguarding communication infrastructure — ensuring that the digital backbone of tomorrow remains secure, resilient, and ready for the quantum age.