Could quantum cryptography help secure 5G networks?

Professor Reza Nejabati, head of Bristol's high petformance networks research group, said: "Hardware and software technologies reported in this paper can potentially revolutionise 5G networks. "They empower network operators to leverage the flexibility and programmability offered by virtualization technology in order to create new types of internet services while taking advantages of transmission at the speed of light and also securing the system using quantum technology". A number of concerns have been raised about the security risks posed by 5G. While the 5G security rules set up by the 3GPP standards body are believed to be more secure than those for 4G, it's expected that 5G will be used to connect more than just mobile phones, expanding the so-called threat surface. In time, self-driving cars and personal medical technology could both depend on 5G to operate. Professor Dimitra Simeonidou, director of the Smart Internet Lab, said: "5G networks will transform communications, industry and society in the next decade.