SpeQtral, a Singapore-based Quantum Communications company, launched Southeast Asia’s first Quantum Networks EXperience Centre (“QNEX”) in partnership with Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation on 16 Nov 2022.

The QNEX is a collaborative technology showcase that will be open to strategic partners including government agencies and private enterprises, such as banks, telcos, and data centres. It will serve as a platform to explore and prototype commercial Quantum Cryptographic use cases based on Quantum Key Distribution (“QKD”). QKD leverages the laws of quantum physics to create ‘un-hackable’ encryption keys, that will enhance the resilience of communications infrastructure against existing and future cyber-attacks, including attacks fronted by Quantum Computers.

Following the partnership inked between SpeQtral and Toshiba last year, the launch of QNEX signals the intent and ambition of both companies to actively promote the adoption of quantum-secure communication in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Housed in SpeQtral’s offices, the QNEX is expected to be incorporated as a network node within Singapore’s National Quantum-Safe Network (“NQSN”), a testbed launched as an initiative of the Quantum Engineering Programme for nationwide trials of quantum-safe communication technologies that aims to enhance network security for critical infrastructure and organisations handling sensitive data. QNEX partners will be able to tap on state-of-the-art hardware, software, and combined expertise of SpeQtral and Toshiba to understand the operational issues of deploying QKD systems for various commercial use cases.

The launch event was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, Mr. Heng Swee Keat, the Japanese Ambassador to Singapore, His Excellency Mr. Hiroshi Ishikawa, and Mr. Quek Gim Pew, Co-chair of the National Quantum Steering Committee, and Deputy Chairman, Office for Space Technologies & Industry.