Samsung's quantum encryption phone Galaxy Quantum 3 officially launched

South Korean telecom operator SK Telecom said that the Samsung Galaxy Quantum 3, which uses the company's IDQ quantum encryption chip, has been released in South Korea on April 26, 2022. In 2020, SK Telecom and Samsung launched the Galaxy A Quantum, the first quantum-encrypted mobile phone, and the Galaxy Quantum 3 is the third generation, which increases the security and ease of use of the service compared to the previous product.

Samsung Galaxy Quantum 3

Configure a dedicated chip for quantum encryption
 

The Galaxy Quantum 3 is the third quantum-safe phone that SKT and Samsung have collaborated on. It uses the world's smallest quantum random number generator (QRNG) chipset (2.5mm x 2.5mm), protects service applications with quantum security, and uses QRNG encrypts terminal external memory data. This further expands the convenience and application areas of quantum security services provided by the previous generation Galaxy Quantum 2. The QRNG chip is provided by SKT subsidiary IDQ.

IDQ's QRNG chip

The Galaxy Quantum 3 brings an updated QRNG chip and some new features such as a "quantum indicator" that shows when quantum encryption is working, improving on the fact that users used to not be able to feel like they were using quantum-safe services, the ability to disable quantum Indicator notification feature, but QRNG feature will always work as system default action regardless of notification display.

The phone is a re-release of the Galaxy M53 5G launched earlier in April and is designed to offer superior digital security features. The phone has a built-in SoC MediaTek Dimensity 900 (an 8-core chipset released in May 2021, manufactured with 6nm process technology; has 2 cores Cortex-A78 at 2400 MHz and 6 cores Cortex-A55 at 2000 MHz ), up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and it supports 5G networks. Quantum 3 can be expanded up to 1TB through external memory, and SK Telecom also applies QRNG function to external memory data to improve security.

The display of the device features a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-O panel with 120Hz refresh and a 32MP selfie camera; the rear camera has a 108MP sensor that is paired with three other cameras, an ultra-wide 8MP and two 2MP sensor for macro and depth.

Samsung officially started selling the Galaxy Quantum 3 in South Korea on April 26, and the phone is priced at 618,200 won (about 3,200 yuan). Currently, the device is only available in the Korean market.

Galaxy Quantum 3

Korean telecom operators have laid out quantum security fields
 

At present, the three major telecom companies in South Korea, SKT, KT and LG U+, have deployed quantum encryption security technology.

SKT has been working on quantum-safe technology.

In 2021, the quantum cryptography technology developed by SKT will be adopted as an industry standard by the European Telecommunications Standardization Institute (ETSI). "Quantum Encrypted Communication (QKD-based) Network Integrated Management Standard (ETSI GS QKD-018)" has been approved by the ETSI Industry Standards Group. The SKT-proposed and ETSI-approved standard is an interface standard that includes software-defined networking that controls quantum-encrypted communications in the overall network integration management of telecom operators. Therefore, when an operator adopts a quantum encrypted communication network, it is possible to integrate the management of the network configured by multiple equipment companies and to communicate between them.

In 2020, two new technologies related to quantum encrypted communication proposed by SKT at the ITU-T conference in Geneva, Switzerland, were adopted as an international standardization task, which became global standards after internal discussions in dozens of countries. Both of these technologies are important core technologies for applying quantum cryptography to networks: the use of quantum key distribution systems in communication networks, and methods for quantum key distribution using existing encryption systems.

In 2016, SKT applied quantum cryptography technology to the LTE backhaul between Sejong and Daejeon for the first time in the world in 2016, and developed the world's smallest (5x5mm) quantum random number generator (QRNG) chip in 2017. SKT also acquired IDQ, one of the world's first quantum cryptographic communications companies.

SKT is also continuously conducting R&D and commercialization in key areas such as standards and technologies to enhance the global competitiveness of quantum cryptographic communications. Recently, the "Interoperability and Management Model for Interoperability between Heterogeneous Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Devices" proposed by KT to the Korea Information and Communication Technology Association (TTA) was finally adopted as a domestic quantum cryptographic communication standard. The feature is that the device that supports the distribution of quantum encryption keys communicates directly with the management system.

SKT has developed high-speed quantum cryptography communication with a rate of 20kbps using its own technology, which can provide quantum cryptography for 4,000 cryptographic devices. Core components such as "high-speed single-photon light source generation module" and "fast quantum random number interoperability interface" have also been developed. In particular, by using this technology, it is possible to construct a Korean-style national security system required for the defense, finance, and public sectors, and to strengthen cooperation in developing quantum cryptography application services.

SKT is also taking the lead in building a native quantum cryptographic communication ecosystem. So far, KT has transferred quantum technology to domestic SMEs through five quantum encryption key distribution equipment supply contracts, and plans to provide more than five technologies to SMEs this year as well.

Not far behind, LG U+ recently announced the launch of the world's first quantum-resistant cryptographic dedicated line service to defend against hacking attacks using quantum computers.

Global interest in quantum-resistant cryptography is increasing due to its excellent security. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and federal government agencies have proposed a "Quantum-Resistant Cryptography Transition Readiness Roadmap" to achieve quantum-resistant cryptography by 2030, and companies such as IBM, Google, and Amazon are working to standardize quantum-resistant cryptography.

Link:

[1]https://mundoconectado.com.br/noticias/v/24921/samsung-lanca-smartphone-galaxy-quantum-3-com-chipset-dimensity-900-e-criptografia-aprimorada

[2] https://zdnet.co.kr/view/?no=20220427114253

[3] http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220420000672

[4] http://www.wsobi.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=160182