Simulation of a Telecom-Provider Driven Reference QKD-Network

In the last 15 years different types of QKD-networks have been demonstrated in the field. These show significant advantages compared to QKD-links and utilize i.a. the following functionalities: switching [1]; trusted nodes to increase distances and resiliency by enabling dynamic routing [2]; lab-demos of star-shaped PON-structures to distribute the keys to many users [3] and star-shaped switched networks incorporating entanglement [4]. Only recently the largest QKD-network has been put into operation in China [5]. So far, all these successful technology demonstrators failed, however, to trigger real-world QKD deployment scenarios by telecom operators.