Quantum internet: the certifiable road ahead

A future quantum internet enables quantum communication between any two points on earth in order to solve problems which are provably impossible using classical communication. The most well-known application of quantum communication is quantum key distribution, which allows two users to establish an encryption key. However, many other applications are known ranging from protocols for clock synchronization, extending the baselines of telescopes to exponential savings in communication. Due to recent technological progress, we are now on the verge of seeing the first small-scale quantum communication networks being realized. Here, we present a roadmap towards the ultimate form of a quantum internet. Specifically, we identify stages of development that are distinguished by an ever increasing amount of functionality. Each stage supports a certain class of quantum protocols and is interesting in its own right. What's more, we propose a series of simple tests to certify that an experimental implementation has achieved a certain stage. Jointly, the stages and the certification tests will allow us to track and benchmark experimental progress in the years to come.