Scientists at Harvard and Boston University with BBN Technologies have succeeded in created a working quantum network. The technology is especially useful for secure internet transactions.
It works by sending data in a way such that any attempt to alter the information, or even monitor it, will result in the data ending up at the destination un-mistakenly altered. Security administrators can thus respond to the issue, and resolve the problem. Currently, the system is working constantly on a three way network in Boston, thought to be the first of its kind.
The project is funded with $4 million of investment from DARPA, who has high hopes. BBN created the initial ARPANET which later became the internet. Researchers hope that with more investment and research, the technology could go main stream in the near future.