Quantum Networking and Quantum-Enhanced Communication for 6G and Future Wireless Systems

Quantum communication technologies are emerging as a transformative paradigm for future communication infrastructures. Advances in quantum computing and quantum information science have highlighted the limitations of classical cryptographic systems, creating a need for fundamentally secure communication methods.

Quantum networking enables the transmission and processing of quantum information across distributed systems using technologies such as entanglement distribution, quantum repeaters, and routing mechanisms. These capabilities underpin the development of the Quantum Internet, supporting ultra-secure communication, distributed computing, and advanced sensing.

At the same time, emerging 6G and future wireless systems require new approaches to support massive connectivity, ultra-low latency, and enhanced security. Quantum-enhanced communication techniques offer strong potential to improve the performance, reliability, and security of these networks. Progress in quantum photonics, plasmonics, and nanophotonic devices is enabling practical implementations, while integration with classical infrastructures supports scalable hybrid quantum-classical systems.

This Research Topic provides an interdisciplinary platform for contributions on theoretical foundations, communication architectures, protocols, and experimental developments in quantum networking and quantum-enhanced communication systems for next-generation wireless networks.

The objective of this Research Topic is to explore advances in quantum networking and quantum-enhanced communication technologies for future wireless infrastructures. It aims to bring together interdisciplinary research across quantum information science, wireless communications, photonics, and networking.

Contributions addressing theoretical models, system design, communication protocols, and practical implementations are encouraged. The collection seeks to support the development of secure, scalable, and efficient communication networks, including hybrid quantum-classical systems.

This Research Topic welcomes contributions including, but not limited to:

- Quantum networking architectures, protocols, and routing

- Quantum repeaters, entanglement distribution, and resource management

- Quantum key distribution and secure communication systems

- Hybrid quantum-classical communication networks

- Quantum communication for 6G and future wireless systems

- Quantum photonic and plasmonic communication technologies

- Quantum-enhanced signal processing techniques

- Security and privacy in quantum communication

- Simulation and modeling of quantum communication networks

- Experimental demonstrations, testbeds, and satellite-based quantum communication

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: quantum networking, quantum communication, quantum internet, quantun key distribution, 6g communication networks, secure communication systems

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.