South Korean mobile carrier SK Telecom said on March 18 it will apply quantum cryptography technology in its 5G network to ensure security of its operations.

Quantum-safe technology encrypts transmitted data using special quantum keys, which prevents interception or theft, minimizing the various risks caused by hackers.

SKT said it will apply the quantum random number generator on its 5G network and expand its use in the existing LTE network next month when it begins 5G service for the commercial market.

“As security has become a more important factor in the 5G era, we will develop advanced quantum cryptography technology to expand the ecosystem,” Park Jin-hyo, the company’s chief technology officer, said.

SKT formed its quantum technology research lab in 2011 and first applied the technology in an LTE network in Korea in 2016.

By Ram Garikipati and newswires (ram@heraldcorp.com)