South Korea’s leading telecommunications company SK Telecom Co. announced Thursday that it applied its quantum security system to the trial network of Deutsche Telekom as part of its partnership with the Berlin-based company.

The system consists of quantum-key distribution (QKD), quantum random number generator and an operating system, according to SK Telecom.

The company plans to apply the quantum cryptography system to Deutsche Telekom’s network for long-distance communication and commercial network by 2019. It will also cooperate with the German firm for businesses in Europe.

Last month, it signed a 10 billion won ($8.9 million) worth deal with U.S. quantum crypto communication company QuantumXchange to supply its system after taking over a majority stake in Swiss-based quantum safe firm IDQ in February.

Quantum cryptography is a newly emerging encryption technology using quantum mechanics to ensure the data is never breached or hacked.

The company plans to propose a global standard for quantum encryption system and quantum random number generator with IDQ, QuantumXchange, Florida Atlantic University and Swiss Geneva University in the upcoming meeting of SG 17, a study group in charge of standardization of communications security under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) next month.

“We will collaborate with other companies and research institutions to develop the international standard for quantum cryptography and expand its ecosystem,” said an official from the company.

Shares of SK Telecom closed Friday at 242,000 won, up 1.26 percent from the previous session.

By Lim Sung-hyun and Choi Mira

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