Quantum Teleportation Succeeds Over 30 km of Berlin's Fibre-Optic Network
A groundbreaking quantum teleportation experiment has taken place in Berlin using existing fibre-optic networks. Researchers successfully transmitted quantum information over 30 kilometres of commercial cables, proving the technology can work alongside everyday internet traffic. The test opens the door to ultra-secure communication and advanced quantum computing networks.
The experiment, conducted in January 2026, connected the T-Labs Quantum Lab to a network node via Deutsche Telekom's Berlin speed test network. Quantum-entangled photons and qubits travelled through a 30 km loop of standard glass fibre, sharing space with regular data signals. A key innovation was a special polarisation compensation component that automatically corrected environmental disturbances in the cables.
Instead of moving a physical particle, the team transferred the quantum state of a photon to another location. The process used light at two different wavelengths: 795 nanometres for quantum computing applications and 1,324 nanometres (telecom O-band) for efficient long-distance travel through fibre optics. This dual approach ensures compatibility with both modern quantum devices and existing infrastructure.
The test achieved an average teleportation fidelity of 90%, peaking at 95%. These results confirm that current fibre-optic networks are already 'quantum-ready', requiring no major upgrades to support future technologies.
The success of this experiment paves the way for practical applications like unbreakable quantum encryption and distributed quantum computing. Networked quantum sensors could also transform fields such as navigation and environmental monitoring. With existing infrastructure proven capable, the shift from lab experiments to real-world quantum networks is now closer than ever.
