TL;DR: The quantum internet is being developed in stages, as outlined by the quantum networking community. Stage 1: trusted-repeater QKD networks (deployed). Stage 2: prepare-and-measure with end-to-end QKD
The quantum internet is being developed in stages, as outlined by the quantum networking community. Stage 1: trusted-repeater QKD networks (deployed). Stage 2: prepare-and-measure with end-to-end QKD (demonstrated). Stage 3: entanglement distribution with quantum repeaters (in research). Stage 4: full quantum internet with arbitrary quantum state transmission (long-term). As of mid-2025, the quantum internet has transitioned from theory to early-stage pilot deployments.
Type
Future quantum internet architecture
Protocol
Progressive stages: QKD → quantum teleportation → quantum repeaters → full quantum internet
Range
Global (long-term vision)
Status
Stage 1-2 (QKD and teleportation) demonstrated; Stages 3-4 (repeaters and full internet) in research