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
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.