SK Broadband applies quantum cryptography to Korea network

SK Broadband Co., a South Korean internet service provider, succeeded in using quantum cryptography for the government’s backbone communication network in the world’s first application of the technology to protect state secrets and personal information.

Quantum cryptography is a method of encryption that uses the naturally occurring properties of quantum mechanics to secure and transmit data in a way that cannot be hacked. The technology distorts data when third parties such as hackers approach the information.

SK Broadband is poised to apply quantum cryptography to an 800 kilometers (497 miles)-communication network by the end of this month, according to a company statement on Wednesday. The network will be the longest system that uses the technology in the country, once the application is completed.

The subsidiary of SK Telecom Co. stretched quantum cryptography networks, which are usually up to 70 km long per section, based on its own technology to prevent data loss by connecting each section with some 30 repeaters.

SK Telecom, which has a separate quantum cryptography business, and ID Quantique (IDQ), a Swiss-based quantum cryptography subsidiary of SK Square Co., cooperated on the project’s technology.

“We have poured all the technological know-how that SK Group has secured from investments of more than 10 years,” SK Broadband said.

FUTURE GROWTH ENGINE

SK Broadband plans to apply the quantum cryptography more if the government requests as the company already designed the system to expand sections with the encryption method by adding necessary equipment.

SK Broadband has been leading a project to establish and manage a national convergence network to connect communication systems of the government’s 48 departments into one network since 2020.

The company aims to foster businesses for corporates including the quantum cryptography sector based on the project, regarding the service as one of the key future growth engines.

The government plans to set up quantum cryptography networks for the public sector and research institutes by 2027.

Write to Han-Gyeol Seon at always@hankyung.com
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.