Tet creates the first quantum network connection

After several months of work, the technology and innovation company Tet has created the first data transmission channel based on quantum encryption technologies. This method of information transmission is considered the most secure in the world, because quantum keys, which are used when using information transmission based on quantum mechanics, cannot be eavesdropped, stolen or otherwise harmed. In the future, the new quantum key network will help protect critical and sensitive data by integrating quantum-based communication infrastructure systems. Thus, strengthening the cyber protection of state institutions, data centers, financial and health sector institutions, as well as energy networks.

Uldis Tatarčuks, Chief Executive Officer of Tet, states: “Our team’s achievement in creating a quantum network, including quantum encryption, is a historic moment in the development of Latvian cyber security. It is a significant and innovative achievement that will help to strengthen the security of information transmission in the very near future, both at the company and national level. We are on the way to introducing secure quantum key transmission in Latvia, especially now, when strengthening national security is critically important.”

The Tet project is implemented together with several partners of the European Union (EU) co-financed project “European Quantum Communications Initiative”, in which the European Commission cooperates with all 27 EU member states and the European Space Agency to develop and build a quantum communication network using optical fiber communication networks, as would also develop this technology in space and in the satellite network.

Within the framework of the EU project, the Latvian quantum network (LATQN) is being created in Latvia, the purpose of which is to build a national quantum communication demo or base network, as well as to develop and test quantum communication technologies in various industries for which secure information transmission is particularly important. The next steps of the project envisage the implementation of the innovative solution, the development of usage scenarios and services in companies in the health and financial sectors, which Tet plans to test and implement by 2025.

Companies related to the provision of financial and health services will be selected as participants of the pilot project. “Sectors of these two industries are particularly sensitive to data security risks, so their involvement in the testing phase is very important. The acquired experience and results will allow to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of the system in a real work environment, as well as provide valuable feedback that will help improve and strengthen the service,” says Uldis Tatarčuks.

While working on the implementation of the quantum network, Tet plans to create an offer suitable for each industry and company, similar to what is currently the case with data centers and cloud services, as well as scale the service and cooperate with foreign partners in providing services. “Our goal is to improve this technology in order to ensure its wide availability and implementation in various industries both in Latvia and elsewhere in the world,” stresses Uldis Tatarčuks.