Colt and Ciena Complete Transatlantic Quantum-secure High-speed Transmission Trial

Colt Technology Services (Colt), a global digital infrastructure company, and Ciena, a global leader in high-speed connectivity, have completed one of the fastest quantum-secure data transmission demonstrations ever, as well as the highest speed achieved on an Atlantic route. This landmark trial successfully protected real-time data traversing 6,900 kilometers of Colt’s submarine and terrestrial cable networks between New York and London using Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) encryption solution. The test proved that data can be securely transmitted at 800GbE line rate—speed sufficient to carry data center-scale traffic across the Atlantic in seconds—while remaining resilient against growing quantum threats.

Enterprises are actively taking measures to safeguard their data against the threat of “collect first, decrypt later” attacks. In such attacks, malicious actors intercept and store data in transit, waiting to access it once quantum computing capabilities surpass traditional encryption methods. This scenario could become a reality as early as 2030. Research indicates that 69% of organizations perceive quantum computing as posing an actual risk to current encryption technologies, while 46% believe their vast amounts of data may be compromised. Successful trials by Colt and Ciena demonstrate that high-speed quantum-secure connections are now ready to reliably protect customer data during cross-continental transmissions, covering one of the world’s most heavily trafficked data corridors.

This trial is the latest in a series of transatlantic submarine cable network quantum-secure encryption experiments led by Colt, and stands out due to the following features:

Speed: 800GbE is still in the early adoption phase, with most currently deployed long-haul and submarine cable systems operating at 100GbE or 400GbE. This trial successfully demonstrated the provision of 800GbE encrypted services over one of the busiest routes in the world—the transatlantic link.

Security: Ciena’s WL6e 1.6T quantum-safe encryption solution on the Waveserver platform employs PQC algorithms, enabling high-capacity secure connections with extreme bandwidth at any distance.

Performance: The test demonstrates outstanding optical transmission performance, stability on submarine cable infrastructure, and readiness to protect AI traffic demands.

Buddy Bayer, Chief Operating Officer of Colt Technology Services, stated: “Quantum computing is redefining the security challenges of global connectivity. This trial marks a significant step forward in safeguarding cross-continental data transmission. It demonstrates that quantum security can be delivered at real-world scale. Colt’s infrastructure combines global reach, continuous investment, and robust security, providing growth confidence for enterprises, hyperscalers, and emerging businesses. Meanwhile, Ciena’s quantum security solutions showcase how next-generation security can be embedded into high-speed networks, ensuring protection and performance evolve in tandem. Together, we are helping customers secure today’s critical data while preparing for the quantum era, building future-ready networks that are simple, secure, scalable, and primed to power the AI economy.”

Ciena’s Senior Vice President of Global R&D, Dino DiPerna, stated: “As network demands surge, operators are raising security thresholds to counter the threats posed by quantum computers. This Colt-Ciena trial demonstrates how post-quantum cryptography and proven high-performance optical encryption play a crucial role in safeguarding high-speed services on real-world long-haul and submarine cable networks, helping to protect critical in-transit data across any distance.”