Quantum Communications in Russia Poised for Commercial Launch
By 2026, Russia’s national rail operator plans to open its quantum links to third‑party carriers, offering carriers unprecedented security and laying the groundwork for a new era in protected data transport.
Security Above All
Russia Railways (RZD) aims to start offering quantum‑encrypted communications services to external customers in 2026, RZD CEO Oleg Belozyorov announced at Rosatom’s “Quantum Breakthrough” breakfast briefing. What sets quantum key distribution apart is its unmatched level of security: at today’s technological maturity, data transmitted over quantum links simply cannot be intercepted or hacked.
That reliability matters now more than ever—RZD’s own website and mobile app suffered two major DDoS attacks on June 6 and June 12, underscoring the critical need for bullet‑proof channels. On the hardware side, RZD already possesses nearly all the fiber‑optic infrastructure necessary to connect external telecom operators. The only remaining hurdle is certification by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), which is on track to conclude by November–December 2025. Once certified, RZD will act as an “infrastructure bridge,” seamlessly interlinking multiple carriers over its quantum‑ready backbone.
Market Potential and Phased Adoption
The addressable market for quantum‑secure comms spans banking, data centers, energy, healthcare, transportation and beyond—any industry where protecting sensitive data is paramount. Initially, deployment will target enterprise clients willing to pay a premium for guaranteed security. But as RZD scales its network and drives costs down, consumer and small‑business applications will follow.
RZD first entered the quantum arena in 2019, when the Russian government tasked the operator with spearheading national quantum communications. Prior pioneer Rostelecom completed hybrid quantum‑classical encryption trials in December 2018, validating quantum‑key‑distribution (QKD) over existing backbone fibers. In 2019, Rostelecom partnered with CryptoPro to test the first cloud‑based quantum encryption service.
Building on that legacy, RZD subsidiary Transtelecom deployed an 800 km quantum link between Moscow and Saint Petersburg in 2021. In 2022, RZD and the Cabinet of Ministers signed an updated roadmap targeting 15,000 km of national quantum networks by 2030. By year‑end 2024, RZD’s quantum footprint reached 7,012 km, with over 15 specialized products and services—and dedicated Quantum Communications and Monitoring Centers—already operational.
Global Ambitions and Export Outlook
The pace of Russia’s quantum rollout now hinges on timely government certification. Should bureaucratic delays be avoided, Russia could become one of the first nations to field a nationwide, carrier‑grade quantum network under a single national operator. Beyond terrestrial fibers, future upgrades may leverage satellites, making truly global quantum‑secure connectivity a reality.
Looking ahead, Russian quantum technology is poised for export to CIS countries, India, China and Southeast Asia—regions eager for alternatives to Western systems that have lost credibility after imposing sanctions against Russia at the expense of economic ties. With its end‑to‑end, state‑controlled model, Russia offers a turnkey solution: not just individual devices, but a comprehensive, proven quantum‑secure platform ready for rapid deployment.
Expert View
