Singtel : Z74 0% and SPTel, a joint venture between ST Engineering : S63 0% and SP Group, have submitted proposals to the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to build nationwide, interoperable quantum-safe networks for businesses.

At the Asia Tech x Singapore Social event on Tuesday (Jun 6), Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced the launch of the National Quantum-Safe Network Plus (NQSN+), which is part of the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and IMDA’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint.

He noted that that both the United Kingdom and Japan have laid out quantum computing strategies in March 2023 and April 2022 respectively.

“With these networks, businesses can explore different use cases, such as securing sensitive financial or medical data,” Heng said.

“Having choices is important for businesses, and NQSN+ will support more than one local network operator to develop interoperable quantum-safe networks,” he added.

Quantum computing has the potential to solve problems that are too complex for classical computers, and may also be able to break existing encryption algorithms that are used to secure communications.

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IMDA said that the National Quantum-Safe Network (NQSN) was launched in 2022 to conduct nationwide trials of quantum-safe communications technology.

This comes after 10 years of quantum research done by the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT), which is hosted by the National University of Singapore.

IMDA has received proposals from Singtel and from a joint partnership between SPTel and Speqtral. The latter is a CQT spin-off that designs and manufactures satellite-based quantum communication systems.

On Monday, Singtel signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Swiss quantum cybersecurity company ID Quantique.

Chief executive officer and founder of ID Quantique Gregoire Ribordy said that the company has observed “store now, decrypt later” attacks, where sensitive, encrypted information is intercepted and stored.

“Five years down the road when there’s quantum computing, this information is decrypted and becomes accessible. If this information is still sensitive and critical, that will create big challenges,” he noted.

In quantum-safe networks, encryption keys can be sent with photons along existing fibre optic cables.

Because observed photons change their properties, the company can check if the encryption keys have been seen – and therefore intercepted – with special emitters and receivers. If the keys remain secure, they can then be used to encrypt files.

Singtel Singapore managing director Lim Seng Kong said that industries such as finance, healthcare and other critical information infrastructure can benefit from the new network.

He added that the network will be “affordable” for the average-sized company.

In addition, IMDA said that it is working with the NQSN team to drive international and local standardisation of quantum-safe technologies.

For instance, it has signed a MOU with South Korea’s National Information Society Agency to collaborate on quantum technologies and standardisation efforts.