Quantum Internet Backbone Achieves First Transoceanic Link: Beijing-London Latency Drops to 0.3ms

On January 8, 2028, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the UK National Quantum Technologies Centre jointly announced the launch of the world's first transoceanic quantum internet backbone. The link runs from Beijing through Urumqi, Moscow, and Berlin to London, spanning approximately 12,000 kilometers.

The backbone employs China's domestically developed "Mozi-III" quantum repeaters combined with UK quantum memory technology. Between relay nodes, quantum keys are transmitted via fiber optic cable; across ocean segments, satellite quantum key distribution provides relay. The end-to-end quantum key generation rate reaches 12,000 bits per second with a bit error rate below 0.8%.

Professor Pan Jianwei, director of the CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, stated that the link's significance lies not just in the technical breakthrough but in proving the feasibility of a global quantum internet. "We accomplished what seemed impossible using existing infrastructure and mature technologies."

In practical tests, quantum-encrypted video calls over the link showed stable quality with only 0.3ms latency, far below traditional encrypted communication. Professor Ian Walmsley, director of the UK National Quantum Technologies Centre, said the link will find first applications in finance, government, and defense.

However, large-scale commercial quantum internet deployment still faces challenges. Current quantum repeaters require deployment every 100 kilometers with high maintenance costs. Pan Jianwei estimates full commercialization may require 10 to 15 years.

Both governments have signed cooperation agreements to extend the link to Frankfurt and Singapore by end of 2029.