China’s ‘father of quantum’ says global secure communications just 3 years away

Physicist Pan Jianwei outlines timetable for quantum-based ultra-secure networks that will have coverage across the world

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Quantum physicist Pan Jianwei expects China to complete its quantum satellite constellation and integrate it with networks on Earth by 2027. Photo: Soho/ 星空军事

Published: 10:00pm, 8 Oct 2024Updated: 3:03pm, 18 Oct 2024

China is aiming to launch an ultra-secure global communications service by 2027, with the completion of its quantum satellite constellation and its integration with ground-based networks, according to leading physicist Pan Jianwei.

Pan was speaking at the Micius Quantum Prize briefing, named after the ancient Chinese philosopher Mozi, whose name was also bestowed on the world’s first experimental quantum satellite, launched by China in 2016.

Known as the “father of quantum”, Pan was part of the prize’s international selection committee for the 2023 award, which was presented last week to Nicolas Gisin and John Rarity for their experiments using optical fibres.

During the press briefing, Pan said his team of researchers plans to launch two to three satellites into low Earth orbit next year, followed by a high Earth orbit satellite two years later.

By combining the satellite constellation with ground-based optical-fibre quantum networks across the country, they expect to “deliver something truly practical” for large-scale communications in the next five to 10 years, he said.

China’s quantum communications market is rapidly increasing. China Telecom, the country’s largest telecommunications company, reported three million terminal users at the end of 2023, and is predicting the number to surpass five million this year.

The technology is based on the special properties of tiny particles called qubits, which can exist in more than one state at once. Anyone trying to listen in would cause an instant change in the particles, immediately revealing the eavesdropping attempt.