Towards global quantum key distribution
Towards global quantum key distribution
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a cryptographic technology that supports the negotiation and sharing of private keys with unconditional security between authorized parties. As QKD scales to a global level, it must address performance limitations, high costs and practical security concerns. In this Review, we outline the key technical challenges, applications and prospective developments towards a global QKD network. Advances such as satellite-based QKD and newly developed protocols offer promising solutions for extending QKD over long distances. Field trials have progressively expanded from intercity links to larger-scale networks. Nevertheless, balancing cost–performance and security considerations will continue to challenge advanced research efforts. On the basis of the strategies addressing these obstacles, we highlight future directions that can support the efficient realization of global QKD infrastructures.
Towards Global Quantum Key Distribution
806-818
Zhang, Haoran
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Zhu, Haotao
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He, Ruihua
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Zhang, Yan
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Ding, Chao
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Hanzo, Lajos
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Gao, Weibo
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December 2025
Zhang, Haoran
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Zhu, Haotao
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He, Ruihua
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Zhang, Yan
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Ding, Chao
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Hanzo, Lajos
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Gao, Weibo
215e014c-7a9c-429a-8b41-42fe2513171b
Zhang, Haoran, Zhu, Haotao, He, Ruihua, Zhang, Yan, Ding, Chao, Hanzo, Lajos and Gao, Weibo
(2025)
Towards global quantum key distribution.
Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering, 2, .
(Towards Global Quantum Key Distribution).
Abstract
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a cryptographic technology that supports the negotiation and sharing of private keys with unconditional security between authorized parties. As QKD scales to a global level, it must address performance limitations, high costs and practical security concerns. In this Review, we outline the key technical challenges, applications and prospective developments towards a global QKD network. Advances such as satellite-based QKD and newly developed protocols offer promising solutions for extending QKD over long distances. Field trials have progressively expanded from intercity links to larger-scale networks. Nevertheless, balancing cost–performance and security considerations will continue to challenge advanced research efforts. On the basis of the strategies addressing these obstacles, we highlight future directions that can support the efficient realization of global QKD infrastructures.
Text
nature-cv-qkd-survey-2025
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 24 October 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 12 November 2025
Published date: December 2025
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 507491
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/507491
DOI: Towards Global Quantum Key Distribution
ISSN: 2948-1201
PURE UUID: bea09db7-bf8e-4b78-976f-356021ce4d34
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Date deposited: 10 Dec 2025 17:50
Last modified: 11 Dec 2025 02:32
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Contributors
Author:
Haoran Zhang
Author:
Haotao Zhu
Author:
Ruihua He
Author:
Yan Zhang
Author:
Chao Ding
Author:
Lajos Hanzo
Author:
Weibo Gao
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