Non-Refereed Publication

With the advent of Quantum Computing threatening public key cryptography, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is bringing quantum communications from somewhere in the distant future to our business reality. And for a Telco, that reality is also one of enormous investment in fiber infrastructure. New services will be highly welcome, but the capacity to support them must be assessed. So, before we even consider the introduction of quantum-based security in our fiber-based network solutions, a question needs to be answered: can a Passive Optical Network (PON) share the fiber with a very low power, highly sensitive technology where single photons are the raw material for communications? This article investigates the impact of PON technology on Discrete Variable Quantum Key Distribution (DV-QKD), using Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) and 10 Gigabit Symmetric Passive Optical Network (XGS-PON) technologies over a fiber loop between Altice Labs and the Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT).