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USTC reports a 2,000 km quantum key network between Beijing and Shanghai

Sep 1, 2017

USTC reports that a quantum key distribution backbone linking Beijing and Shanghai is in service. Over 2,000 km of fiber and 32 relay stations connect four cities to distribute encryption keys; the network does not link quantum computers.

Why it matters

It brought quantum key distribution to an intercity infrastructure scale, while still relying on relay stations to bridge long fiber distances.

USTC · CAS

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Related

• Bennett and Brassard propose BB84, a way to share secret keys using photons (Dec 1984)
• China launches Micius to test quantum communication from space (Aug 16, 2016)
• DARPA's quantum key network moves onto city fiber (Jun 3, 2004)