India’s first quantum computing-based telecom network link is operational, says Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Telecoms Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Monday that the country’s first quantum computing-based telecommunications network link was now operational in the nation’s capital. Speaking at the first international quantum enclave, Vaishnaw said the quantum communication link is now operational between Sanchar Bhawan and the office of the National Computing Center located in the CGO complex in the nation’s capital.

“The first quantum secure communication link between Sanchar Bhawan and NIC, the CGO complex is now operational,” Vaishnaw said and announced a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh for ethical hackers who can crack the system’s encryption.

“We are also launching a hackathon, a challenge round, for whoever breaks this system and the system developed by C-DoT, we will give away Rs 10 lakh per break,” Vaishnaw said.

The minister inaugurated a small exhibition of quantum computing companies and invited them to carry out pilot projects for communication networks and Indian railways.

Last week, the minister said Indian scientists, engineers and scholars had acquired 100 patents for 6G technology.

Speaking at the Bharat Startup Summit organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce, the minister said India is making a leap forward in 5G technology with the fastest network deployment in the world.

“Electronics are very complex, but despite the complexity, our scientists, engineers and scholars have together acquired 100 patents in 6G,” Vaishnaw said.

The minister said the 5G network rollout had far exceeded the government’s 200 cities as of March 31, 2023, with coverage in 397 cities at present.

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