ByMarch 7, 2025 – In a world where quantum computing promises both breakthroughs and risks, Vodafone and IBM are taking proactive steps to shield smartphone users from tomorrow’s cyber threats.
At Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25) in Barcelona, the two industry giants showcased a proof-of-concept integration of IBM’s Quantum Safe technology into Vodafone Secure Net, a widely used digital security service protecting millions across Europe from phishing, malware, and identity theft.
This collaboration, announced on March 3, 2025, aims to future-proof internet browsing by embedding post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards into Vodafone’s mobile and fixed networks.
Why This Matters Now
Quantum computers, though still in their infancy, could one day crack the encryption that underpins today’s internet—think RSA and ECC, which rely on math problems quantum machines might solve in hours.
While experts estimate this threat is still 5-10 years away (based on projections from the Quantum Computing Report and IBM’s own roadmap), cybercriminals aren’t waiting.
They’re already employing “harvest now, decrypt later” tactics, hoarding encrypted data to crack when quantum tech matures.
Vodafone’s Luke Ibbetson, Head of Research & Development, framed the stakes: “Quantum computing could revolutionize medicine and networks, but it could also unravel the internet’s security foundations. We’re getting ahead of that curve.”
What’s New with Vodafone Secure Net
Vodafone Secure Net, available in countries like the UK, Germany, and Spain, is a cornerstone of the telecom’s consumer offerings, safeguarding users on its 340 million-strong network.
The new proof of concept, supported by cybersecurity firm Akamai Technologies, layers IBM’s Quantum Safe tech atop Secure Net’s existing encryption.
This isn’t a full rollout yet—Vodafone calls it a “feasibility test”—but it signals intent to deploy attack-resistant algorithms across its infrastructure, from consumer apps to business solutions.
IBM’s contribution hinges on its pioneering work in PQC. In 2024, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) finalized its first three post-quantum standards, two of which were co-developed by IBM researchers.
These algorithms, like CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium, tackle problems quantum computers can’t easily solve, unlike today’s standards.
Lory Thorpe, IBM’s Quantum Safe Industry Lead, emphasized the urgency: “Vodafone’s early adoption sets a benchmark. Post-quantum cryptography isn’t optional—it’s a necessity for long-term data protection.”
What’s at Stake for Users
For everyday users, this partnership between Vodafone and IBM translates directly into enhanced security. Vodafone’s Secure Net, already protecting millions of users across its 340 million-strong network, successfully blocked 1.8 billion attacks in 2023 alone.
As Vodafone integrates post-quantum cryptography (PQC), it is future-proofing its service to ensure that sensitive data—such as bank account details, personal health records, or business communications—remains protected, even if quantum computing advances to the point of being able to decrypt today’s encryption methods.
This long-term vision ensures that Vodafone customers, from Londoners streaming on 5G to entrepreneurs in Nairobi using IoT, will continue to enjoy secure and uninterrupted service for years to come.
While this technology promises significant advancements in security, the next crucial step is ensuring its scalability and integration across Vodafone’s vast network.
Scalability, Competitor Moves, and Challenges Ahead
While the results of the feasibility test are still under review, Vodafone’s history suggests a phased approach. For example, its 2023 trial of a quantum-safe VPN took about a year from announcement to completion, and a broader rollout of Secure Net could start by 2026, depending on feedback from MWC25.
Scaling this across 340 million users and 15 countries will require rigorous testing over 18-24 months to ensure performance holds up.
Vodafone isn’t alone in exploring quantum-safe security. Competitors like BT and Verizon are also testing similar technologies, but Vodafone’s approach—backed by IBM’s NIST-aligned PQC—might give it a competitive edge in the race to standardize security.
However, integrating PQC into live networks presents challenges, including potential performance slowdowns and compatibility with older devices. Still, Vodafone’s extensive reach and IBM’s global expertise position them well to overcome these hurdles.
As Vodafone navigates these challenges, it’s important to understand that their efforts align with a broader, global push towards ensuring future-proof security across all industries.
The Bigger Picture
Vodafone and IBM’s pioneering work on quantum-safe technology is part of a broader, global movement pushing for future-proof security.
While the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre urged quantum prep in 2024 and the EU’s Horizon Europe program is investing €1 billion in quantum tech by 2030, other sectors are also making strides in shaping the technological landscape.
Lam Research’s ALTUS Halo, for instance, is set to revolutionize chipmaking by enhancing semiconductor performance. At the same time, IBM’s leadership in responsible AI is setting the standard for ethical advancements in tech.
These initiatives, along with Vodafone’s quantum-safe demo, reflect the broader drive for innovation that balances technical breakthroughs with the need for security, ethics, and responsibility in shaping the digital future.
For now, Vodafone’s quantum-safe technology remains a prototype, but as Ibbetson said, “We want you online without worry, now and in the future.” That future, it seems, starts with a quantum-safe step in Barcelona.
For more on IBM Quantum Safe tech, visit IBM Quantum Safe. Catch Vodafone’s latest at Vodafone.
