Project description
Europe-wide quantum communication testing
Quantum communication has the potential to protect the EU's sensitive data and digital infrastructure for years to come. A test quantum communication infrastructure will be set up in several European countries. Launched by the EU-funded OPENQKD project, its activities will take place in Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. It will boost the security of critical applications in various fields – from telecommunications to electricity supply and healthcare. Bringing together a multidisciplinary team (leading European telecommunication equipment manufacturers, end-users and critical infrastructure providers, network operators, quantum key distribution equipment providers, digital security professionals and scientists) from 13 EU countries, the aim is to bolster Europe’s leadership in quantum technologies.
Objective
OPENQKD brings together a multidisciplinary team of the leading European telecommunication equipment manufacturers, end-users and critical infrastructure providers, network operators, QKD equipment providers, digital security professionals and scientists from 13 countries to reinforce Europe’s position at the forefront of quantum communication capabilities globally.
The project will create an open QKD testbed to promote network functionality and use-cases to potential end-users and relevant stakeholders from research and industry. Over 25 use-case trials have already been determined and will be complimented by open calls for funding third parties. OPENQKD will develop an innovation ecosystem and training ground as well as helping to grow the technology and solution supply chains for quantum communication technologies and services.
In preparation for not only managing a central QKD testbed in Geneva (CH), but as precursor to managing a pan-European network, we will incorporate testbeds in Cambridge (UK), Madrid (ES) and Poznan (PL), along with specific use-case-driven test sites, and develop a virtual network of these islands of security as an interim substitute for a QKD backbone, bringing these distant networks together. OPENQKD will deploy 40 QKD systems with standardized hardware and software interfaces for network devices and protocols on over 1000km of fiber links, as well as testing compatibility with satellite-based schemes.
The OPENQKD network will be used to demonstrate the transparent integration of quantum-safe technologies and solutions broadly across the European digital landscape as well as advancing initiatives for the standardization and certification of QKD-enabled technologies. The work in the OPENQKD testbed should lay the foundations for rolling out a pan-European quantum-safe digital infrastructure, with a solid basis to educate and lead a quantum-aware workforce and with European industry leaders already engaged.
Fields of science
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Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
1210 Wien
Austria
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Participants (40)
1219 Le Lignon
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28223 Pozuelo De Alarcon
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61-704 POZNAN
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CB2 1TN Cambridge
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51147 Koln
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TW18 3DU STAINES UPON THAMES
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1227 Carouge
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53113 Bonn
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
53227 Bonn
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
Participation ended
60528 Frankfurt Am Main
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
53113 Bonn
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81671 Munchen
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Participation ended
98617 Meiningen
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20692 YOKNEAM
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91300 Massy
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3400 Klosterneuburg
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
28050 MADRID
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E1 8EE London
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92130 Issy Les Moulineaux
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8010 Graz
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10787 Berlin
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TW11 0LW Middlesex
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31100 Toulouse
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8010 Graz
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28040 Madrid
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708 00 Ostrava Poruba
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80539 Munchen
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1211 Geneve
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08860 Castelldefels
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1010 Wien
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75794 Paris
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91120 Palaiseau
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2800 Kongens Lyngby
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35122 Padova
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2628 CN Delft
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80539 MUNCHEN
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71000 Sarajevo
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78100 Saint Germain En Laye
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92230 Gennevilliers
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1204 Geneve
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.