Quantum communications leap out of the lab

Cybersecurity is a step closer to the dream of sending data securely over long distances using quantum physics — spurred by two developments. This week, China will start installing the world’s longest quantum-communications network, which includes a 2,000-kilometre link between Beijing and Shanghai. And a study jointly announced this week by the companies Toshiba, BT and ADVA, with the UK National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, reports “encouraging” results from a network field trial, suggesting that quantum communications could be feasible on existing fibre-optic infrastructure. Read more.