23 Apr 2025

Twin-field quantum key distribution runs over a 254 km commercial telecom network at 110 bits per second

Quantum technologiesPhotonics and optical computing
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What was demonstrated

Pittaluga and colleagues report implementing the coherence-based twin-field QKD protocol over a 254 km commercial telecom network, achieving encryption key distribution at 110 bits per second. The accessible abstract does not give the link endpoints, the cooling or detector method, or the network operator, so the record does not state them.

Why it matters

The abstract describes coherence-based quantum communication running on a commercial telecom network. This is relevant to running QKD over existing fibre infrastructure.

Caveats

  • The key rate of 110 bits per second is very low. This is a feasibility demonstration on one link, not a key-distribution service.
  • The full text was not accessible. The Nature article redirects to a sign-in page, so only the abstract and bibliographic details were checked. Claims beyond the abstract should be added only after checking the full paper.

Technology profiles

Sources

  1. peer reviewed paper
    Long-distance coherent quantum communications in deployed telecom networks
    Mirko Pittaluga, Yuen San Lo, Adam Brzosko et al.. Nature, 23 Apr 2025. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08801-w.
  2. other
    Long-distance coherent quantum communications in deployed telecom networks (bibliographic record, Nature vol. 640, pp. 911-917)
    Mirko Pittaluga, Andrew J. Shields. IDEAS/RePEc, Apr 2025.

Last reviewed 21 Oct 2026.