Quantum-Era Optical Infrastructure

24 September 2025 9:00 - 12:00
Eastern Daylight/Summer Time (US & Canada) (UTC -04:00)

Quantum-Era Optical Infrastructure

As quantum technologies move from theory to deployment, the global communications ecosystem must evolve to support secure, scalable, and resilient networks. This webinar brings together leading experts from space agencies, quantum networking pioneers, and fiber infrastructure providers to explore how optical systems are being redesigned for the quantum era.

Subject Matter Level: level is advanced technical / industry-expert level

What You Will Learn:

• The architectural foundations of quantum-era optical infrastructure
• How space-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) enables global-scale secure communications
• Practical strategies for implementing fiber-based QKD over existing terrestrial networks
• The differences and complementary roles of satellite and terrestrial quantum systems
• How telecom operators and enterprises can prepare for quantum-safe / post-quantum security
• Integration challenges, scalability considerations, and real-world deployment insights
• The roadmap toward resilient, future-proof secure optical networks

Who Should Attend:

• Optical network engineers and architects
  Professionals designing, deploying, or evolving fiber‑optic networks who need to understand how future quantum threats and technologies will impact network infrastructure.
• Security and encryption specialists
  Those responsible for data security who want to learn how quantum‑safe key exchange (e.g., QKD) and crypto‑agility fit into next‑generation optical networks.
• Telecom and communications technology developers
  Engineers and product managers at carriers, vendors, and service providers interested in integrating quantum‑era capabilities into optical backbones.
• Researchers in quantum communications and photonics
  Academics, R&D scientists, and students focused on quantum networking, photonic technologies, or quantum‑secure communication systems.
• Technology strategists and decision‑makers
  Business leaders, CTOs, and technical strategists who need a high‑level view of where optical infrastructure is heading as quantum computing and security considerations

About the Presenters:

• Kasia Balakier (European Space Agency – UK)
  Vision of a Quantum Era Optical Infrastructure
  An overview of how space-based assets and international collaboration are shaping the future architecture of quantum-secure global communications.
• Robert Bedington (SpeQtral – Singapore)
  Space-Based QKD
  Insights into satellite-enabled Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and its role in enabling long-distance quantum-secure links beyond terrestrial limitations.
• Robert Woodward (Toshiba – UK)
  Terrestrial / Fiber-Based QKD
  Practical approaches to implementing QKD over existing fiber infrastructure and integrating quantum technologies into today’s optical networks.
• Jim Zou (Adtran – US)
  Secure Networks in the Quantum Era
  How carriers and enterprises can prepare their infrastructure for quantum-safe encryption and next-generation secure networking.

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