As quantum computing capabilities advance, telecommunications networks worldwide are approaching a defining inflection point in cybersecurity. The mathematical foundations that secure digital communications are nearing obsolescence, requiring an orchestrated, ecosystem-wide transition toward quantum-resistant architectures.
The central reality of this shift is clear: achieving successful quantum-safe migration demands seamless alignment and collaboration across government bodies, communication service providers, and industry partners, backed by comprehensive visibility into the entire quantum-safe ecosystem. Securing isolated network components in a vacuum simply shifts vulnerabilities elsewhere.
Translating this collaborative principle into action, a world-first multiparty Memorandum of Intent (MOI) was signed at Asia Tech x Singapore (ATx) in May 2026. Under this landmark agreement, active project execution is now underway to transition the nation's critical digital networks toward quantum resistance.
A milestone for Singapore: public-private collaboration in action
This strategic initiative brings Ericsson together with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Singtel, and NCS to bridge the gap between theory and live, large-scale telecommunications infrastructure.
The collaboration establishes actionable, real-world deployment roadmaps, focused on four essential pillars:
- Cryptographic asset discovery and mapping: Systematically discovering and mapping cryptographic implementations across Singtel's network functions, identifying vulnerable algorithms, and prioritizing remediation schedules.
- Piloting and validation: Testing and validating quantum-safe migration technologies across Singtel’s core infrastructure and operational systems to verify real-world efficacy.
- Ecosystem readiness: Cultivating operational talent and creating a repeatable migration blueprint that establishes Singapore as a regional and global benchmark for quantum-era transformation.
- Knowledge sharing: Distributing frameworks, technical blueprints, and operational insights to the broader global telecommunications ecosystem to accelerate international adoption.
Understanding the dual nature of the quantum threat
To understand why the Singapore deployment is significant, one must evaluate the cryptographic mechanics vulnerable to quantum computation.
Modern enterprise networks rely on two primary types of cryptography: symmetric and asymmetric cryptography. Symmetric algorithms remain secure against quantum threats and continue to protect data across applications. In contrast, asymmetric algorithms are under the threat of emerging quantum computers which are expected, in the future.
In our conversations with operators and technology leaders across Asia-Pacific, the quantum threat is often discussed as a distant milestone on a whiteboard. In reality, the migration timeline is already here. Because telecommunications infrastructure operates on decade-long lifecycles, the networks we design and deploy today are the very ones that will face the arrival of cryptographically relevant quantum computers.
Because asymmetric algorithms underpin public key exchange, identity verification, and digital signatures, their vulnerability compromises entire communication chains where they are relied upon. This creates acute vectors across global telecommunications:
- Harvest Now, Decrypt Later (HNDL): Adversaries intercept and archive encrypted high-value communications today, intending to decrypt the data once quantum processing reaches sufficient scale.
- Signaling and roaming vulnerabilities: Core network interconnection links and roaming interfaces rely on asymmetric handshakes, leaving critical transport links exposed to potential manipulation.
- Unreliable verification of connected systems: Trust architectures fail if the underlying identity exchange protocols can no longer guarantee the authenticity of connected nodes and remote servers.
- SIM and IoT onboarding insecurities: The provisioning and credential validation chains that verify billions of connected enterprise devices and SIM cards risk subversion if root authentication authorities are breached.
- AI security and data integrity: As enterprises scale mission-critical AI workloads across hybrid clouds and edge nodes, validating model weights, data pipelines, and telemetry against manipulation becomes essential.
Post-Quantum Cryptography: the path forward
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) are new standardized asymmetric algorithms designed to be secure against both ordinary and quantum computers. By relying on complex mathematical and geometric problems such as lattice-based cryptography, PQC provides a complete foundation for securing tomorrow’s digital infrastructure.
However, deploying PQC across telecommunications networks presents distinct operational hurdles:
- Resource and latency constraints: NIST-approved PQC algorithms require substantially larger keys and ciphertexts, which can strain bandwidth and increase handshake latency in time-critical mobile environments.
- Crypto-agility in legacy stacks: Telecom functions often rely on hardcoded cryptographic libraries. Transitioning to quantum resilience requires engineering crypto-agility across the network so algorithms can be updated modularly without disrupting services.
- Multi-vendor and roaming interoperability: Ensuring backward compatibility through the transition (for example, supporting both quantum-vulnerable public-key algorithms and PQC in parallel) is critical to keep multi-vendor networks and global roaming interfaces functional.
Because telecommunications network functions operate on multi-decade lifecycles, embedding quantum resistance early is critical to avoid legacy exposure. A network generation deployed today will remain active well into the future, falling directly within the anticipated arrival window of cryptographically relevant quantum computers. Ericsson is supporting this transition by building PQC directly into global telecom standardization and product lifecycles, facilitating a smooth, standardized migration across mobile networks worldwide.
To realize this vision, Ericsson actively contributes to PQC standardization within key global bodies, including the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and the GSM Association (GSMA). By integrating NIST-approved PQC algorithms into mobile network architectures, Ericsson is specifically targeting upcoming 5G releases as well as the evolution towards 6G , enabling operators to maintain backward compatibility during the transition.
Building a quantum-safe Singapore and global ecosystem
As a leading global digital hub, Singapore must ensure its telecommunication sector remains resilient against emerging quantum threats. This partnership demonstrates how that essential end-to-end alignment works in practice, combining government leadership with operator and technology scale.
Singapore's proactive stance demonstrates how strategic national initiatives can build local expertise and capabilities while accelerating the global transition. However, Singapore cannot be an isolated island of quantum safety; global networks require global alignment.
For CSPs, technology vendors, and policymakers preparing for this shift, preparation must begin long before commercial quantum computers arrive:
- Conduct comprehensive cryptographic audits: Operators and enterprises must discover and map where asymmetric cryptography exists across their networks, prioritizing systems carrying high-value, long-lifespan data susceptible to "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" risks.
- Require crypto-agility in network procurement: Near-term network investments and software upgrades should mandate modular crypto-agile architectures.
- Foster cross-sector pilots: Governments and regulatory bodies should establish testing sandboxes and public-private alliances like Singapore's model, allowing vendors and telcos to test PQC performance under live traffic conditions before standardizing deployments.
- Engage with international standards: Service providers should actively track and implement guidelines emerging from 3GPP, IETF, and GSMA to guarantee cross-border interoperability and secure roaming.
Alongside other ongoing partnerships, this Quantum-Safe PQC migration MOI marks a pivotal milestone in Singapore’s digital journey, empowering enterprises to adopt AI with confidence, reinforcing national cyber resilience, and laying the foundation for a secure, innovative digital future.
Ericsson remains committed to supporting the global telecommunications community and fostering global ecosystem readiness to enable a smooth, standardized transition to post-quantum security across mobile networks worldwide.
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