Quantum communication: Real-world applications and academic research

The field of quantum communication is mature enough to be clearly divided into an applied side, around Quantum Key Distribution, and a fundamental research program. The applied side is driven by real-world applications with concerns like reliability and costs. The second aspect is still mainly curiosity driven and aims, among other things, at extending the distance of fiber-based quantum communication to continental (or even inter-continental) distances. In this tutorial an intuitive perspective is given on some recent advances in the state of the art.