The Quantum Internet

And we’re back.

It’s been a while since the last post on here—but if there’s one thing I haven’t taken my eyes off, it’s the rapid, almost mind-bending progress in the world of quantum tech.

Whether it’s in cryptography, communication, or the commercialization of entire quantum systems, I’ve been quietly watching a digital transformation unfold that could shake the very foundations of how we communicate, compute, and protect information. And let me tell you—2024 and early 2025 have been wild.

Today, I want to take you through one of the most exciting and underappreciated developments happening in the field right now: The Rise of the Quantum Internet.

Yes, that’s a real thing.
And it’s not 50 years away—it’s already being built.

Why a “Quantum Internet” Even Exists

Let’s start here. Why do we even need a new kind of internet?

Well, it’s not about faster Netflix streams (though who knows, maybe one day?). The real reason is security. Right now, most of the internet runs on encryption that relies on mathematical puzzles—really, really hard puzzles that classical computers struggle to crack.

But quantum computers? They’re poised to tear through that encryption like a hot knife through butter.

That’s why researchers, governments, and companies are racing to create a new kind of network—one that’s secure not because of math, but because of the fundamental laws of physics. Welcome to the world of quantum communication, where the unbreakable weirdness of quantum mechanics protects information.

The Core Concepts: QKD, Entanglement, and Super-Secure Messaging

1. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

This is the cornerstone of quantum communication. It’s a method where two parties exchange encryption keys using photons—particles of light—whose states are altered if anyone tries to intercept them. In other words: if someone’s snooping, you’ll know.

This isn’t hypothetical. QKD is already being used to secure communications between government buildings and corporate data centers in several countries.

2. Entanglement

Ah yes—spooky action at a distance. Einstein’s least favorite feature of the quantum world is actually becoming one of our greatest tools. Entangled particles are linked in such a way that a change to one instantaneously affects the other, no matter how far apart they are.

This property is what will eventually allow a quantum internet to enable unhackable, long-distance communication.

Global Momentum: The Quantum Internet Is Coming Together

Let’s zoom out and look at the big picture. We’re no longer in theory territory—real infrastructure is being built.

China Is Going Orbital—Again

China made headlines years ago with the Micius satellite, which demonstrated quantum entanglement and QKD from space. Now, they’re gearing up for another wave: launching 2 to 3 new quantum satellites in 2025, with a medium Earth orbit satellite planned by 2027.

This isn’t just about showing off. It’s about building a real global quantum communications network. Satellites allow quantum information to be transmitted across massive distances, bypassing the limitations of fiber-optic cables, which can only carry quantum signals so far before they degrade.

China’s goal? Combine their satellite constellation with ground-based quantum networks to create a globe-spanning, quantum-secure infrastructure. Whether for national security, finance, or science, they’re building the bedrock of a future-proof internet.

Europe and the U.S. Are Not Far Behind

Europe launched Qube, a small CubeSat aimed at testing QKD from orbit. The European Space Agency is backing a larger plan to create a pan-European quantum communication infrastructure (EuroQCI). Meanwhile, Boeing in the U.S. plans to launch its own quantum networking satellite by 2026, and NASA is working on quantum links through its Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The point is: we’re no longer watching from the sidelines. Multiple global players are investing real money and real hardware into building this quantum internet. And the efforts aren’t isolated—they’re starting to talk about interoperability and standards, which is the next logical step toward scaling.

Groundwork: Fiber Networks Are Going Quantum Too

While satellites handle long-haul communication, fiber-optic networks are seeing upgrades that bring quantum security into our urban landscapes.

Japan’s 2025 Breakthrough: Data + Quantum, One Cable

This one got me hyped.

In 2025, Toshiba and KDDI pulled off the world’s first simultaneous transmission of classical internet traffic (33.4 Tbps!) and quantum keys over the same optical fiber—across 80 km. That’s like running a firehose of Netflix streams and encrypted bank transfers, using the same pipe without either one interfering.

This is huge because it proves that QKD doesn’t need dedicated lines anymore. Instead of building entirely separate infrastructure, we can layer quantum channels on top of existing networks, making quantum-secure communication more affordable, scalable, and realistic.

Imagine your local ISP offering “Quantum-Secured Fiber” packages in the next five years. Sounds sci-fi now, but these kinds of multiplexing breakthroughs are how it starts.

Caltech and the Entangled Superhighway

Meanwhile, in California, researchers at Caltech achieved something wild: entanglement multiplexing.

Think of it as adding extra lanes to a quantum highway. Instead of one quantum signal at a time, they managed to send multiple entangled signals in parallel between quantum memory nodes. This increases bandwidth and reliability for quantum networks—a crucial piece if we ever want to link multiple quantum computers across cities or even continents.

This type of scalable networking is exactly what will eventually enable a functional, multi-node quantum internet—one that doesn’t just secure messages, but shares quantum states and entanglement directly across a global infrastructure.

Commercialization Is Kicking In—Hard

You might be thinking: “Okay, cool tech. But who’s actually building this stuff?”

Short answer: everyone—from scrappy startups to Fortune 500s.

IonQ Is Building the Future

IonQ, already a leader in trapped-ion quantum computers, made a bold move in 2025 by acquiring ID Quantique, a pioneer in quantum encryption and QKD. That’s a signal to the world: quantum computing and quantum networking are converging.

With their new acquisition, IonQ can build secure end-to-end platforms—quantum computers that communicate securely using quantum-encrypted links. They're working with South Korea’s SK Telecom to bring these systems into Asia, and they’ve secured a $54.5 million U.S. Air Force contract to develop quantum hardware and communication platforms.

This isn't just "cool tech"—it's becoming infrastructure for the defense, telecom, and enterprise sectors.

Startups Like QI (Quantum Industries) Are Making Moves

Europe’s Quantum Industries raised €9.5M this year to bring entanglement-based QKD to data centers and utilities. They’re focusing on real-world applications—think critical infrastructure, power grids, and industrial systems.

Their vision? Make quantum-secure communication a utility, like electricity or water.

We’re watching the rise of Quantum-as-a-Service, where companies will soon offer encrypted comms powered by physics, not passwords.

Governments & Standards: The World Is Preparing

In 2024, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) finalized its first batch of post-quantum encryption standards, including CRYSTALS-Kyber and Dilithium.

These are classical encryption methods designed to withstand attacks from future quantum computers—and they’re already being integrated into products by companies like IBM, Google, and Cloudflare.

In short: governments aren’t waiting around. They’re planning for a post-quantum world now.

So, How Close Are We?

This is the big question.

Let’s be real—your phone won’t be browsing TikTok over a quantum network in the next year. But here’s what’s already happening:

• Quantum-secured links are operational in several cities around the world.

• QKD satellites are in orbit—and more are launching within months.

• Hybrid fiber systems can now carry classical and quantum signals together.

• Companies and militaries are actively building systems on top of these networks.

If 2020–2022 was the “proof-of-concept” era, 2023–2025 has been the early deployment and scaling era. By 2030, we might see nationwide or even continent-wide quantum networks—starting with sectors that need airtight security, like finance, defense, and healthcare.

Why This Matters (Even If You're Not a Quantum Nerd)

Because everything—literally everything—runs on trust.

From your credit card transactions and medical records to government secrets and startup IP, the digital world is built on trust in encryption. And that encryption is under threat from future quantum computers.

The quantum internet isn’t just a cool experiment. It’s a way to future-proof the infrastructure of modern society.

And now, we’re finally seeing the hardware, the funding, the interest, and the talent to make it happen.

Final Thought

It’s easy to miss the significance of these quiet, behind-the-scenes breakthroughs. But history has shown us that revolutions rarely begin with fireworks—they begin with infrastructure.

The first classical internet started in labs and government agencies, and look where it took us. Today, we’re seeing the quantum internet take its first real steps—out of the lab and into the world.

And trust me: this time, the signal is very strong.

Stay tuned for a breakdown of the companies racing to win the quantum networking game. We’ll cover tech stacks, business models, and what it might mean for you as a consumer or developer.

As always, thanks for reading.

Sources & Cool Reads:

• Caltech’s entanglement multiplexing paper (2025)

• Toshiba + KDDI QKD breakthrough (2025)

• China’s upcoming satellite launches (SpaceNews, 2024)

• Quantum Industries (QI) startup funding (EU-Startups, 2025)

• IonQ + ID Quantique acquisition (BusinessWire, 2025)

• NIST’s post-quantum cryptography standards (2024)