UK Researchers Achieve First Long-Distance Quantum-Secured Communication Network

The 410 km network enables unhackable data transfer and marks a milestone in quantum internet development.

Researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Cambridge demonstrated the UK's first long-distance quantum-secured video call and data transfer over a 410 km fibre network.
The network integrates two quantum key distribution methods—light particle encryption and distributed entanglement—with standard fibreoptic infrastructure.
This milestone included a live quantum-secured video conference, encrypted medical data transfer, and secure remote access to a distributed data centre.
The achievement builds on over a decade of work under the UK Quantum Network initiative, supported by EPSRC and the Quantum Communications Hub.
This breakthrough positions the UK as a leader in quantum communications and lays the groundwork for a future global quantum internet.