A first signal is received from an initial quantum key generating transmitter via a single combined channel that includes a first quantum signal and a public data signal alternating in a time shared manner. The first signal is split into first and second split signals. A low attenuation is applied to the first split signal when the first split signal includes the first quantum signal. A high attenuation is applied to the first split signal when the second split signal includes the public data signal. The first split signal is received at an intermediate quantum key generating receiver (QKGR) when the low attenuation is applied and a first quantum key is generated. A second quantum signal is transmitted to a recipient QKGR and a second quantum key is generated. The first quantum key is encoded using the second quantum key and transmitted to the recipient QKGR.