SK Telecom to apply quantum cryptographic technology to 5G network

SK Telecom’s officials check a network server in Seoul. [Photo provided by SK Telecom]

South Korea’s leading mobile carrier SK Telecom Co. will apply quantum cryptography technology, considered as the most complex and safe data security technology, to its 5G network system to ensure dominance in Korea’s wireless market which makes generational shift to 5G for the first time in the world in the first half.

Quantum cryptography is an encryption technology that uses quantum, the smallest particles of a matter involved in an interaction. The application of quantum cryptography to communication network enables data to be transmitted in the safest possible form as data is transmitted in keys encrypted in quantum bits that only readers and receivers can decode.

SK Telecom actively has sought ways to improve communication security as the introduction of the 5G network is expected to increase the number of connected devices exponentially, thus heightening the risk of security threats. In February 2018, the company acquired a majority stake in the world’s No. 1 quantum cryptographic company IDQ, which is headquartered in Switzerland.

[Photo provided by SK Telecom]

The Korean wireless carrier said it will be applying quantum random number generator technology of IDQ to its servers for authenticating 5G network subscribers starting this month. The quantum random number generator creates a completely random combination of numbers using quantum encryption technology that is capable of blocking any cyber attacks, said the company.

It plans to expand the use of the quantum random number generator technology to existing long-term evolution (LTE) networks next month.

The company will also apply IDQ’s quantum key distribution technology to its 5G and LTE networks between Seoul and Daejeon, a segment with the highest data traffic, next month and gradually expand the application to other regions.

[ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]