The quantum internet is based on the physics principles of quantum entanglement.

In a quantum internet, the classical bits of information –zeros and ones- would still exist, but they would be entangled, and superimposed on one another.

Simply put, the development of the quantum internet involves changing the rules around how the internet is built. As a result, the quantum internet would be nearly impossible to hack. For cyber security leaders, this will have major implications.

The quantum field is young and growing. For many industries, quantum infrastructure may offer powerful new possibilities. By 2025, the global quantum computing market is expected to reach $9.48.82 million.

But if you’re hoping to use the quantum internet within your organization, you may have to wait quite a few years until it’s ready for deployment.

Will the quantum internet replace our current internet infrastructure?

No. The “classical internet“, as the regular internet is sometimes called, will still exist. It is expected that large organizations will rely on the quantum internet to safeguard data, but that individual consumers will continue to use the classical internet (at least for a while).

In making the quantum internet widely available to the public, some speculate that it may need to exist in a clientless form in a cloud app.

For organizations, what are the implications of the quantum internet?

Experts predict that the financial sector will benefit from the quantum internet when it comes to securing online transactions. The healthcare sectors and the public sectors are also expected to see benefits. In addition to providing a faster, safer internet experience, quantum computing will better position organizations to solve complex problems, like supply chain management.

The foremost scientist who are developing this new internet aren’t entirely certain about what other advantages it can offer. Analysts compare the development of the quantum internet to the development of the first transistors. These devices were initially used in hearing aids, but ultimately led to the emergence of social media platforms and video conferencing.

“It’s clear there’s a lot of promise. It’s going to move quickly,” says researcher David Awschalom. “But the most exciting part is that we don’t know exactly where it’s going to go.”

Will the quantum internet emerge soon? 

In April, The Harvard Gazette and Nature reported a “conceptual breakthrough” in regards to quantum engineering. “This is the realization of a goal that has been pursued by our quantum engineering community for more than two decades,” stated Mikhail Lukin, a Harvard professor and co-director of the Harvard Quantum Initiative.

That being said, we are quite a ways away from the implementation of a quantum internet. Prototypes are currently in progress, and experts anticipate its emergence within the next decade.