QUANTUM-SAFE NETWORKING, PLUGGED IN A JOINT LEAP TOWARD THE FUTURE OF SECURE COMMUNICATIONS
Coauthored by Coherent Corp., CUbIQ Technologies, HPE Juniper Networking, and Liberty Global
September 29, 2025 by Coherent
In an era where quantum computing is rapidly evolving from theoretical to practical, the urgency to secure our digital infrastructure has never been greater. Today, we’re proud to share a major milestone: a successful proof-of-concept (POC) that demonstrates how quantum-safe networking can be deployed efficiently, at scale, and without disrupting existing infrastructure.
This collaboration among CUbIQ Technologies, HPE Juniper Networking, Coherent Corp., and Liberty Global is more than a technical achievement. It’s a blueprint for the future of secure communications.
The innovation: CV-QKD in a pluggable form factor
CUbIQ’s breakthrough lies in its Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution (CV-QKD) transceiver, engineered into a QSFP-28 pluggable module. This compact device integrates directly into Juniper switches and routers, such as PTX Series Routers, enabling quantum-safe encryption without the need for bulky 19-inch, rack-mounted systems or complex retrofits.
By leveraging Coherent’s high-performance 400G ZR QSFP-DD DCO optical transceivers for the high capacity QDK-encrypted line transmission, the solution delivers high-speed, energy-efficient quantum key exchange over existing fiber networks. Its long awaited, plug-and-play approach to quantum security lowers the barrier to wider adoption.
Why it matters
Quantum computers pose a real threat to classical encryption methods. As these machines become more powerful, they could eventually break widely used cryptographic protocols like RSA and ECC. In the short-term, an increasing issue is eavesdropping during key exchange. For these reasons, quantum-safe solutions such as QKD are increasingly essential - not just for governments and financial institutions, but for any organization that values data integrity and privacy.
Liberty Global, one of the world’s leading converged broadband providers, sees quantum security as a strategic imperative. This POC trial with CUbIQ pluggable transceivers demonstrates how telecom operators can future-proof their networks using modular, cost-effective technologies that scale with demand.
Collaboration in action
Each partner brought unique strengths to the table:
- CUbIQ Technologies: Developed the CV-QKD transceiver module and quantum security architecture
- HPE Juniper Networking: Integrated the module into its routing platform, enabling quantum-safe MACsec encryption
- Coherent Corp.: Provided the 400G ZR QSFP-DD DCO optical transceivers that power high-speed data signal for the transmission into the optical fiber network, the traffic of which is encrypted with QKD keys
- Liberty Global: Offered real-world deployment scenarios and strategic insight into telecom applications
Together, we have demonstrated that quantum-safe networking isn’t just possible, it’s practical
What’s next?
This POC will be showcased at ECOC 2025 in Copenhagen, where attendees can see the solution in action and explore its implications for global telecom infrastructure. We believe this is just the beginning. As quantum threats evolve, so must our defenses—and this collaboration sets the stage for a new generation of secure, resilient networks.
Stay tuned for more updates from ECOC 2025 and beyond. The quantum future is coming—and we’re ready for it.
