SK Telecom Co., with Samsung Electronics, on Thursday, introduced the world’s first 5G smartphone armed with a super-strong quantum cryptography solution. The new chipset would expand the best security technology from the business-to-business (B2B) industry to the consumers market.
According to SK Telecom, the new Galaxy A Quantum would become the first 5G smartphone to feature a quantum random number generator (QRNG) chipset that secure mobile communication.
The QRNG chipset, developed by Switzerland-based firm ID Quantinque, produces random numbers based on quantum cryptography.
ID Quantique is a subsidiary of SK Telecom that supplies quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. In 2018, SK Telecom acquired ID Quantique as part of the South Korean mobile carrier’s plan to expand to quantum technology development.
According to SK Telecom, the technology generates unbiased and unpredictable true random numbers that strengthen the security of data transmission. The company said it evaluated the new handset fitted with quantum crypto tech as the highest security level. It added that the smartphone could not be hacked with any of the current technology.
SKT said that users of the Galaxy A Quantum would experience advanced security protection from quantum cryptography solution in online services the necessitate certification and identification.
The mobile carrier said that Initial and T-ID would use the new chipset for two-factor authentication. “Initial” is a blockchain-based mobile electronic certification service. Meanwhile, “T-ID” is a biometric authentication for SK Telecom’s 28 services such as SK Pay, 11st online marketplace, Wavve, FLO, T Map, Nugu, and T Membership.
Galaxy A Quantum
Samsung would launch the Galaxy A Quantum launch in South Korea on May 22 with preorders starting Friday.
According to Samsung Electronics, the new 5G smartphone would start at 649,000 won (US$530).
The QRNG chipset-installed handset features a quad-rear camera with a 6.7-inch display. It also comes with a 4,500 mah battery.
