Applicability of Quantum Cryptography for Securing Mobile Communication Networks

After 20 years of basic research, quantum cryptography has meanwhile led to first commercial products. Its progress has triggered high publicity and additional R&D funding. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the status of quantum cryptography regarding its practical applicability for securing (mobile) communication networks. With that aim in mind, the paper presents a survey of the state-of-the-art, an analysis of its practical constraints and still open R&D challenges, and some candidate applications for securing mobile communication networks. First industrial applications of quantum cryptography have become reality; more applications may soon reach practical maturity due to recent technological progress.