MilestoneHardwareConfirmed

DARPA's quantum key network moves onto city fiber

Jun 3, 2004

BBN announces a continuously operating quantum key distribution network on city fiber between its campus and Harvard. Developed with Harvard and Boston University under DARPA funding, it extends a system tested in the laboratory since 2003.

Why it matters

It tested quantum key distribution as a continuously operating urban network, beyond a single laboratory link.

Chip Elliott · BBN Technologies · Harvard · Boston University · DARPA

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Sources (3)

BBN Technologies (press release carried by The Auto Channel) BBN Technologies Unveils World's First Quantum Cryptography Network
Primary sourceJun 3, 2004

“CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 3, 2004 -- BBN Technologies announced today that it has built the world's first quantum cryptography network and is now operating it continuously beneath the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts.”
arXiv (Chip Elliott) The DARPA Quantum Network
Primary sourceDec 3, 2004

“The DARPA Quantum Network became fully operational on October 23, 2003 in BBN's laboratories, and in June 2004 was fielded through dark fiber under the streets of Cambridge, Mass., to link our campuses with non-stop quantum cryptography, twenty-four hours per day.”
Harvard Gazette Quantum network delivers uncrackable codes
Primary sourceJul 22, 2004

“It sends encoding and decoding keys as light pulses between Harvard and Boston universities and BBN Technologies, a hi-tech company in Cambridge, Mass. The network started operating in June.”

Added Oct 28, 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will review it.

DARPA's quantum key network moves onto city fiber

Why it matters

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