SK Telecom Starts Deploying Photon Shot Noise-Based Security

SK Telecom together with Samsung and Switzerland-based ID Quantique officially introduces the Galaxy A Quantum, said to be the world’s first 5G smartphone equipped with a quantum random number generator (QRNG).

The Galaxy A Quantum is equipped with the world’s smallest QRNG chipset S2Q000 measuring 2.5mm x 2.5mm. This QRNG chipset allows smartphone holders to use selected services in a safe and secure manner by generating true random numbers that cannot be hacked.

Users of the Galaxy A Quantum will go through two-factor authentication (2FA) – i.e. ID login and quantum one-time password (OTP) authentication - when they log in with their T-IDs. By adding OTP authentication as an extra layer of protection, the new QRNG-powered smartphone ensures strong protection for users’ online accounts.

2FA for T-ID is expected to be well utilized as T-ID login is applied to SK Telecom’s 28 services including 11st (online marketplace), T Map (mobile navigation), Wavve (OTT platform), Flo (music streaming), T Membership (subscriber membership) and Nugu (AI platform/speaker).

Customers will also benefit from advanced protection while making payments via the SK Pay app at offline affiliate stores such as convenience stores and restaurants. Going forward, SK Telecom plans to expand the feature to the mobile apps of SK Pay affiliate stores.

Last year, SK Telecom and ID Quantique have been awarded quantum communication network building projects in the U.S. and Europe (EU), and applied QRNG to SK Telecom’s 5G authentication center (AuC) for the first time in the world. Going forward, SK Telecom will expand its footprint in the quantum security business by integrating QRNGs to more devices and networks.

“Securing mobiles phones has become a top priority for mobile operators, who are also looking to generate new revenues,” Says Grégoire Ribordy, co-founder and CEO of ID Quantique. “With its compact size and low power consumption, our latest Quantis QRNG chip can be embedded in any smartphone, to ensure trusted authentication and encryption of sensitive information. It will bring a new level of security to the mobile phone industry.”

“With the release of the Galaxy A Quantum, we are opening a new chapter in the history of the quantum security industry,” said Ryu Young-sang, VP and Head of MNO Business of SK Telecom. “We will offer differentiated security solutions to enable our customers to use ICT services in a safe and secure manner in the hyper-connected era of 5G.”

ID Quantique adds few more details pn its solution inside Samsung smartphone:

"Generating strong keys from a reliable entropy source is the cornerstone of any security system. IDQ’s Quantis QRNG chip (IDQ250C2) is the first Quantum Random Number Generator designed and manufactured specifically for mobile handsets. It generates provably unbiased and unpredictable randomness with high entropy from the very first bit from the shot noise of a light source captured by a CMOS image sensor, a patented quantum technology from ID Quantique.

IDQ’s Quantis QRNG chip (IDQ250C2) is low profile, small footprint, and now makes our connected world more secure."