The quantum internet is closer than it seems

The University of Pennsylvania’s engineering team has made a breakthrough that could bring the quantum internet much closer to practical use. Researchers have demonstrated that quantum and classical networks can share the same backbone by transmitting quantum signals over standard fibre optic infrastructure using the same Internet Protocol (IP) that powers today’s web.

Their silicon photonics ‘Q-Chip’ achieved over 97% fidelity in real-world field tests, showing that the quantum internet does not necessarily require building entirely new networks from scratch.

That result, while highly technical, has far-reaching implications. Beyond physics and computer science, it raises urgent questions for governance, national infrastructures, and the future of digital societies.

What the breakthrough shows

At its core, the Penn experiment achieved three things.

Integration with today’s internet

Quantum signals were transmitted as packets with classical headers readable by conventional routers, while the quantum information itself remained intact.

Noise management

The chip corrected disturbances by analysing the classical header without disturbing the quantum payload. An interesting fact is that the test ran on a Verizon fibre link between two buildings, not just in a controlled lab.

That fact makes the experiment different from earlier advances focusing mainly on quantum key distribution (QKD) or specialised lab setups. It points toward a future in which quantum networking and classical internet coexist and are managed through similar protocols.

Implications for governance and society

Government administration

Governments increasingly rely on digital infrastructure to deliver services, store sensitive records, and conduct diplomacy. The quantum internet could provide secure e-government services resistant to espionage or tampering, protected digital IDs and voting systems, reinforcing democratic integrity, and classified communication channels that even future quantum computers cannot decrypt.

That positions quantum networking as a sovereignty tool, not just a scientific advance.

Healthcare

Health systems are frequent targets of cyberattacks. Quantum-secured communication could protect patient records and telemedicine platforms, enable safe data sharing between hospitals and research centres, support quantum-assisted drug discovery and personalised medicine via distributed quantum computing.

Here, the technology directly impacts citizens’ trust in digital health.

Critical infrastructure and IT systems

National infrastructures, such as energy grids, financial networks, and transport systems, could gain resilience from quantum-secured communication layers.

In addition, quantum-enhanced sensing could provide more reliable navigation independent of GPS, enable early-warning systems for earthquakes or natural disasters, and strengthen resilience against cyber-sabotage of strategic assets.

Citizens and everyday services

For ordinary users, the quantum internet will first be invisible. Their emails, bank transactions, and medical consultations will simply become harder to hack.

Over time, however, quantum-secured platforms may become a market differentiator for banks, telecoms, and healthcare providers.

Citizens and universities may gain remote access to quantum computing resources, democratising advanced research and innovation.

Building a quantum-ready society

The Penn experiment matters because it shows that quantum internet infrastructure can evolve on top of existing systems. For policymakers, this raises several urgent points.

Standardisation

International bodies (IETF, ITU-T, ETSI) will need to define packet structures, error correction, and interoperability rules for quantum-classical networks.

Strategic investment

Countries face a decision whether to invest early in pilot testbeds (urban campuses, healthcare systems, or government services).

Cybersecurity planning

Quantum internet deployment should be aligned with the post-quantum cryptography transition, ensuring coherence between classical and quantum security measures.

Public trust

As with any critical infrastructure, clear communication will be needed to explain how quantum-secured systems benefit citizens and why governments are investing in them.

Key takeaways for policymakers

Quantum internet is governance, not just science. The Penn breakthrough shows that quantum signals can run on today’s networks, shifting the conversation from pure research to infrastructure and policy planning.

Governments should treat the quantum internet as a strategic asset, protecting national administrations, elections, and critical services from future cyber threats.

Early adoption in health systems could secure patient data, telemedicine, and medical research, strengthening public trust in digital services.

International cooperation (IETF, ITU-T, ETSI) will be needed to define protocols, interoperability, and security frameworks before large-scale rollouts.

Policymakers should align quantum network deployment with the global transition to post-quantum encryption, ensuring coherence across digital security strategies.

Governments could start with small-scale testbeds (smart cities, e-government nodes, or healthcare networks) to build expertise and shape standards from within.

Why does it matter?

The University of Pennsylvania’s ‘Q-Chip’ is a proof-of-concept that quantum and classical networks can speak the same language. While technical challenges remain, especially around scaling and quantum repeaters, the political and societal questions can no longer be postponed.

The quantum internet is not just a scientific project. It is emerging as a strategic infrastructure for the digital state of the future. Governments, regulators, and international organisations must begin preparing today so that tomorrow’s networks deliver speed and efficiency, trust, sovereignty, and resilience.

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