New Delhi: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has partnered with Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL) to successfully execute India’s first Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) transmission via a 4-core Multi-Core Fibre (MCF). This accomplishment represents a crucial advancement in the country’s efforts to establish quantum-secured communication networks. The Ministry of Communications stated today that this success is essential for building a secure, affordable, and resilient national quantum communication framework.
“This initiative is a key milestone for India’s telecom ecosystem. This achievement establishes the feasibility of integrated quantum-classical networks over next-generation optical fibres, saving costs for QKD deployments drastically,” Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, said.
Multi-Core Fibre (MCF) technology provides a powerful solution by enabling data transmission across multiple cores within a single fibre, significantly saving physical space and infrastructure costs. In the context of QKD, which typically requires a dedicated dark fibre for the quantum channel, MCF offers a significant advantage: it enables the physical separation of quantum and classical signals into distinct cores within a single fibre. This allows for the simultaneous transmission of QKD and high-capacity data traffic on a single fibre without compromising quantum signal integrity, thereby saving fibre cost.
In this activity, the quantum signals of QKD were transmitted through one core, while simultaneously, the other three cores on the same fibre were used to carry high-speed user data. A stable QKD link was established over a distance exceeding 100 km, validating the robustness and stability of quantum communication even amidst high-capacity classical data traffic.
“This breakthrough collaboration with C-DOT underscores India’s growing prowess in pioneering next-gen digital infrastructure. By successfully integrating QKD with our indigenously developed MCF, we have demonstrated how cutting-edge optical innovations can revolutionise secure communication. We are committed to advancing India’s quantum communication ambitions while driving global optical leadership. This milestone is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in building a digitally sovereign and secure nation,” Rahul Puri, CEO, Optical Networking Business, STL, said.
C-DOT, India’s premier telecom Research and Development centre under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, has emerged as a key player in advancing India’s quantum communication ecosystem and has successfully developed and deployed industry-grade Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems. Notably, C-DOT’s QKD systems have received Technology Approval from the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), a body under the DoT.
Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL) is a leading global provider of integrated digital networks, specialising in optical fibre manufacturing and network designs, with 10+ global manufacturing plants and a customer base spanning 100+ countries. As a trailblazer in Optical Networking, Optical Connectivity, Data Centres, and Enterprise solutions, STL has recently developed Multi-Core Fibre (MCF), positioning it at the forefront of building future-ready, scalable fibre networks. STL’s Multicore fibre leverages Space Division Multiplexing in 7 and 4-core fibre to achieve ultra-high transmission capacity per fibre within the same diameter.
Both C-DOT and Sterlite Technologies (STL) today reaffirmed their commitment to advancing India’s capabilities in quantum communication and optical network innovations.
– global bihari bureau
