A new type of air-filled fiber optic cable could offer major security benefits

Date:
Thu, 16 Sep 2021 11:49:37 +0000

Description:
BT has successfully transmitted secure quantum signals over a new hollow optical fiber cable.

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BT claims to have achieved a new milestone in the development of quantum-secure communications by conducting the worlds first trial of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over a six-kilometer-long cable of hollow core optical fiber .

QKD is a secure communication protocol that leverages security keys based on the laws of physics rather than mathematical complexity.

Explaining the significance of its trial, BT says that unlike traditional optical fiber thats made of solid strands of glass that ferry information by channeling light signals emitted by laser transmitters, the new hollow core fiber is in fact filled with nothing but air thats encased in a ring of
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BT argues that the hollow cables are better suited to the peculiarities of QKD, as it reduces the possibility of interference. Secure quantum communication

Ferrying QKD signals is a hot topic of research. A couple of months back, Cambridge-based researchers from Toshiba shared details about their project that successfully ferried QKD signals over 600 kms .

Toshiba argued that while current commercial QKD systems are limited to about 100-200 km of fiber, its dual band stabilization technique will help preserve the signals over hundreds of kilometers.

On the other hand, BT has taken a different approach by replacing the traditional optical cables with hollow ones created by Lumenisity Limited, a spin-out from the University of Southampton.

BT argues that thanks to Lumenisitys hollow optical cables, commercial telecommunications equipment dont need to be optimized in order to send a data-encrypted key.

Weve proven a range of benefits that can be realized by deploying hollow core fiber for quantum-secure communication. Hollow core fibers low latency and ability to send QKD over a single fiber with other signals is a critical advancement for the future of secure communications, noted Professor Andrew Lord, BTs Head of Optical Network Research. These are the best endpoint protection tools



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/a-new-type-of-air-filled-fiber-optic-cable-coul d-offer-major-security-benefits/


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