India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has called on the telecoms sector to submit proposals for an R&D programme to accelerate development of technologies for quantum communications networks.
According to a statement released on Sunday, the DoT plans to establish "Quantum Standardization and Testing Labs" that will serve as innovation hubs for quantum technology developers, test equipment manufacturers, and academic researchers. The DoT has invited the comms industry to submit applications to participate in these labs.
Quantum communications has become a hot research item in the communications and internet sector. According to the IEEE Communications Society, quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement has the potential to make data networks more reliable, energy-efficient and secure, while a quantum-powered internet could enable powerful new applications in fields like distributed computing and metrology.
According to ETTelecom, the DoT has proposed testing technologies like “single photon and entangled photon sources, quantum memories and repeaters, quantum teleportation, and free-space quantum communications, trusted nodes and untrusted nodes”.
Meanwhile, the standardization process would include “establishing benchmarks and protocols essential for integration of quantum communication elements such as quantum key distribution, quantum state analysers, optical fibres, and components into existing and future communication networks.”
“The main objective is to accelerate research and development in quantum technologies, ensuring the interoperability, reliability, and security of quantum communication systems,” the DoT release said.
The deadline for submission of proposals is August 5, 2024.
