At some point the Quantum computers They will break the current encryption systems, and that risk will force all companies to completely rethink their safety protocols. Telefónica wants to anticipate with the creation of a center of excellence, as announced during the MWC 2025.
Why is it important. The strategy initially focuses on what they have called “cryptility”: develop mechanisms that allow their systems to adapt quickly when quantum threats materialize. And this approach will also be offered to customers.
The context. The advances in quantum computing are a counterreloj career for telecos. Who does not have their adapted systems when quantum threats materialize will remain in vulnerability situation. That will be when these computers reach enough power to break the current cryptography.
- Telefónica faces this transformation into full guard of guard, And not only in the presidency: Enrique Blanco, current Ctio Global, will leave the company at the end of March after four decades, being replaced by Andrea Folgueiras. Both appear in the image headed by this article.
Between the lines. The “cryptility” strategy that seeks not only to protect its own networks, but to become a post-quantic security provider for third parties, opening a new business line.
In other words: this announcement has to see that with improving security, but also with opening a new business line.
Yes, but. The operator has not specified during the announcement the investment for the new center or how many professionals will integrate it, key aspects to understand the real magnitude of the commitment beyond the announcement.
- The statement also does not detail specific deadlines for the implementation of quantum solutions.
- It is limited to highlighting that they work on it as part of their future strategy.
Asked the spokesmen for Xataka On this issue, Blanco did not give figures or specific deadlines, but he explained that they have been working in this field for a decade, doing limited evidence in areas such as Madrid or Vizcaya. Limited in distance (“no more than 70 kilometers”) or in the use of incipient, but not mature algorithms.
Enrique Blanco at the end of the presentation, thanking the media for “his respect” in recent weeks in Telefónica. Image: Xataka.
“We have a lot of knowledge in quantum technologies, we are starting to make applicable technology. And we begin to have an industry interested in this type of services, customers to work monographically,” Blanco said.
He added that “I hope within three, four or five years we have a very relevant number of technicians who are managing services, sensory and quantum computing. The center is approved, we will begin to provide it with resources as Telefónica and outside of Telefónica.”
In detail. The operator has presented three practical demonstrations in her stand of the MWC under the name ‘Quantum-Safe Networks‘:
- A ROV submarine operated remotely from Barcelona to Gran Canaria using 5G networks with post-chartic encryption, keeping low latency even under water.
- Smart accountants with protected ESIM through algorithms Quantum-Safpreventing future attackers to supplant operators or manipulate measurements.
- IoT devices with post-whattical encryption managed from the platform Kite.
Image: Telefónica.
In figures. This movement is part of a broader transformation that has already allowed Telefónica to reduce its energy consumption by 7.9% since 2015, while traffic multiplied by 9.3.
The operator manages a network that reaches fiber 180 million homes and has deployed 5G SA In four key countries: Spain, Brazil, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Missing? It remains to be seen if Telefónica will attract the necessary talent in a highly specialized field where the great technology around the world compete for the best Quantum Physics experts and engineering.
Success will also depend on its ability to establish alliances with research centers and leading technology companies, since it can hardly develop all technology internally.
And now what. The Center will coordinate the innovation lines of the different areas of Teleco, will promote new solutions and activate technological agreements with third parties, as Telefónica explained during its presentation.
Meanwhile, Telefónica continues to advance in The hyper-automatization of your network through the ANJ programwith the aim of reaching this year the level 4 of autonomy in certain processes, allowing the network to make complex decisions for itself.
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Outstanding image | Xataka