Methods and systems enabling enhanced bit-rate QKD fiber-based key delivery. In one embodiment, a secure communications network of this invention includes a number of communication nodes, each of the communication nodes being connected to a quantum channel. At least one of the communication nodes (a sending node) includes a multiplexing system capable of assembling a succession of substantially single photons in a predetermined order. At least another of the communication nodes (a receiving node) includes a receiving system capable of receiving at least some of the assembled succession of substantially single photons, a demultiplexing system capable of separating the received assembled succession of substantially single photons into a number of separated successions of substantially single photons, and, a number of detector systems, each one of the detector systems being capable of detecting one separated succession of the successions of substantially single photons.