Florida switches on its first quantum-safe network link between two colleges

[Solid Gary]

Florida has launched the first segment of a statewide quantum safe network. The Quantum Insider's Matt Swayne reports that the link connects Palm Beach State College with Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, using quantum key distribution technology from IonQ

The link runs over dark fibre owned by Palm Beach County and went live on 15 October. College president Ava L. Parker announced it on 21 October, ahead of the Quantum Beach 2026 event. The project is funded by a one million dollar grant from FloridaCommerce

Partners include Florida LambdaRail, which runs a 1,540 mile fibre network serving 13 universities, along with FAU, Palm Beach County and IonQ. The initial plan is a corridor of nearly 100 miles running down to Miami-Dade

Miami Dade College and FAU's Jupiter campus should connect within about three months. Further expansion beyond that will depend on more funding being found

Regional quantum networks like this are becoming more common as a testing ground for the technology. Universities make natural first users, because they can study the network as well as use it. It will be interesting to see how well IonQ's QKD performs in daily use

Should more regions build quantum networks now, or wait for post quantum cryptography? And what would you use a quantum safe link for?

Palm Beach Colleges Connect as Florida Launches Quantum-Safe Networkthequantuminsider.com