The Quantum Internet Task Force (QITF) [^1], in which mercari R4D, the research and development organization of Mercari, is a participant, released a white paper summarizing the path to realizing the Quantum Internet [^2] on February 10, 2021. Shota Nagayama, representative of QITF and mercari R4D Senior Researcher, led the effort.
Main points of the white paper
The Quantum Internet is the next generation communication infrastructure based on quantum information technology. Just as Quantum computers realize computing power that conventional digital computers cannot, the Quantum Internet is anticipated to realize communication and distributed computing that are impossible with communication infrastructures that transmit digital data such as the current Internet or beyond 5G.
This paper proposes how human social issues can be solved by realizing the Quantum Internet, the social image that will be created, and the research and development necessary to get there.
In order to ensure future research competitiveness and industrial competitiveness, we advocate the need for universities and competitive funding agencies to create a system where researchers involved in R&D related projects that are difficult to be published, such as standardization activities and testbeds [^3], can be highly evaluated for their efforts.
For the future
The research, development and operation of the Internet, a shared property of humankind, has progressed until now through a multi-stakeholder model that does not centralize power or responsibility. Based on the released white paper, QITF is conducting discussions with researchers and scientific and technological administrators within and outside of Japan for cooperative research and development. We are also looking for collaborators in developing the Quantum Internet.
Please refer to this link for details.
https://qitf.org/files/20210210_qitf_whitepaper.pdf
mercari R4D is committed to researching Quantum Internet architecture and communication protocols based on IT technology, and will contribute to the realization of the next-generation Internet through QITF activities.
[^1] QITF was established as a voluntary organization in May 2019, to conduct research activities and prepare for consortium. As the first Quantum Internet research promotion organization in Japan, it will promote the research and development of quantum repeating technology, which is the core communication technology of the next-generation IT revolution.
https://qitf.org/
[^2] Quantum Internet is a quantum information Internet technology that transmits and receives information in the form of quantum signals. Quantum signal repeating technology generates quantum-specific phenomena called “quantum entanglement” between quantum devices, enabling computational processing using quantum entanglement itself and transmitting and receiving quantum information through quantum teleportation. Previous studies in this area have found applications that are expected to contribute significantly to social and scientific development, such as communication security, ultra-precision time synchronization, high-precision space telescopes, distributed quantum computation and blind quantum computation over the Quantum Internet. In other words, the Quantum Internet will be an indispensable social infrastructure for a quantum-based society.
[^3] A testbed is a platform for verifying scientific theories and new technologies. It is indispensable for research and development of complex and large-scale systems such as the Quantum Internet. Quantum Internet requires a testbed that can verify wide area communication.
About mercari R4D
Since it was established, mercari R4D has worked on research and development into quantum information technology. In an approaching quantum-based future where quantum technology is ubiquitous in society, we believe that for Mercari to develop into a safe and secure global marketplace, we need to work on data processing and security that will support quantum information technology. Furthermore, aiming to provide a service that is more convenient for our users, R4D is engaged in R&D to utilize whole quantum information technology for such as machine learning applications and shipping optimization.
Website：https://r4d.mercari.com/en/
For any inquiries regarding this research, please use the contact form on R4D’s website.