An August 21 experiment sent quantum information across a 13-mile open-air link, pushing quantum networking beyond the limits of fiber-only systems.
The result advances hybrid quantum networks that could connect quantum devices where fiber-optic infrastructure is unavailable or impractical.
A separate August milestone from NIST distributed entangled photons across 62 kilometers of commercial aerial fiber, showing quantum states can survive real-world telecom disturbances.
Other recent studies also showed quantum and classical signals can share optical fiber and that thousands of temporal modes can be distributed and stored on metropolitan networks.
Together, the advances move the quantum internet closer to practical use as a new communications layer for secure links, distributed computing and precision sensing.
Will beaming entangled photons through the open air finally make an unhackable global quantum internet a reality?
If quantum networks just piggyback on existing cables, what hidden vulnerabilities might hackers exploit in this new hybrid infrastructure?
Can delicate quantum signals truly survive the chaotic vibrations of city traffic without corrupting our current internet speeds?
From Brookhaven to Yale: The U.S. Builds Its First Permanent Free-Space Quantum Link and Competes in the Global Quantum Internet Race
Overview
In August 2026, researchers achieved a major milestone by establishing the first permanent free-space optical quantum link in the U.S., connecting Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook University. Using advanced adaptive optics, they overcame severe atmospheric distortion to transmit entangled photons directly between facilities, without needing wavelength conversion. This breakthrough was confirmed when entanglement survived a 13-mile journey at night. With Yale University joining as a third node, the network is expanding to span 30 miles, paving the way for a robust quantum channel. Supported by significant state investment, these advances are accelerating regional innovation and building a skilled workforce for the future of quantum technology.