Deutsche Telekom and Qunnect Test Quantum Teleportation Over Berlin Network

Deutsche Telekom, in collaboration with quantum networking pioneer Qunnect, has successfully demonstrated quantum teleportation over a commercial fiber network in Berlin. The trial, conducted in January 2026 using commercial hardware, marks a significant step toward integrating quantum teleportation capabilities into live telecommunications infrastructure.

The experiment transmitted quantum information over 30 kilometers of existing fiber optic cables alongside regular data traffic. Utilizing Qunnect's commercially available entanglement distribution hardware and Deutsche Telekom's Berlin quantum infrastructure, the partners achieved an average teleportation fidelity of 90%. This demonstration is considered a practical test of core components required for future quantum teleportation services.

Quantum teleportation is a foundational element for the future quantum internet, enabling the transfer of quantum states between distant locations by recreating a quantum state at the destination using pre-shared entanglement. This technology is expected to unlock new applications such as quantum cryptography, distributed quantum computing, and advanced quantum sensing networks.

Deutsche Telekom highlighted the significance of achieving high fidelity in a real-world network environment, moving the technology beyond laboratory settings. The company views this as a crucial step in laying the technical groundwork for networking quantum computers over longer distances, thereby enhancing technological sovereignty. Future plans include expanding the trials to multi-node configurations and increasing the transfer distances.