South Africa and China set up a quantum communication link: how we did it and why it’s historic

By Yaseera Ismail, Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University

A major breakthrough in quantum technology was achieved in October 2024: the first-ever quantum satellite communication link between China and South Africa. The connection spanned a remarkable 12,900km: the longest intercontinental quantum communication link established to date. The longest before this was 7,600km and within the northern hemisphere only.

It was achieved with quantum key distribution, a method for a sender and receiver to share…

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