Oxford, United Kingdom – 31 January 2024 – Quantum Dice, an award-winning, venture-backed spinout from the University of Oxford’s quantum optics lab, today announced it is exploring the use of its Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) for cryptographic applications in the telecommunications sector, with BT Group. 

BT Group’s Research and Development division will be using Quantum Dice’s VERTEX QD-1100 device to assess its long-term performance and reliability, hardware integration, and explore leveraging the PCIe card’s self-certification capability as a trusted entropy source for security applications.  

This collaboration highlights BT Group’s commitment to continuous improvement towards its mission of connecting for good. With a demonstrated track record of successfully innovating with emerging technologies, BT Group is well-positioned to evaluate enabling technologies, particularly in the exploration of use cases for Quantum Dice’s patented DISC™ QRNG to enable enhanced information security.  

Andrew Lord, Senior Manager, Research, Optical Networks, BT Group, said: “As the UK’s leading network provider, it’s critical we ensure our digital infrastructure remains secure against new quantum-based threats. Entropy is a vital building block of cryptography, enabling quantum secure networks and we are excited to begin long-term trials of the QRNG, especially using the self-certification technique to ensure true randomness.” 

In today’s data-driven landscape, true random number generation is critical for communication security. Secure access to verified, high-quality entropy is essential for generating strong cryptographic keys, providing enhanced security for networks, and futureproofing for evolving quantum technologies.  

Wenmiao Yu, Director of Business Development and Co-Founder of Quantum Dice, said: “Having long been aware of BT Group’s leadership in driving the testing and adoption of quantum technologies, as demonstrated by their quantum-secured metro network in London, I am looking forward to further working with the team to explore and realise the potential that QRNGs bring to cybersecurity.”  

Ramy Shelbaya, CEO and Co-Founder of Quantum Dice, said: “In the internet age, our telecommunications infrastructure is one of the most critical pillars of our economy. We are really excited to be working with BT Group to explore how our QRNG technology can help secure a connected future.”  

Quantum Dice’s VERTEX QD-1100 QRNG, as showcased by BT Group in a QRNG use-case development hackathon in July 2023, combines best-in-class security and a 2.66 Gbps rate of post-processed random numbers with a compact PCIe form factor. The device also takes advantage of Quantum Dice’s unique patented source-device independent self-certification (DISC™) protocol, which performs a continuous entropy check hence providing live quantum assurance. 

Packaged as a standard half-length PCIe card, VERTEX QD-1100 can be easily integrated within servers, PCs, and hardware security systems, making it ideal for cybersecurity applications.  

BT Group’s long-term evaluation of the QRNG marks an important step in exploring the potential of Quantum Dice’s patented technology as an innovative quantum-resistant solution that is trusted, scalable, and easily integrated.