IonQ announces the deployment of Slovakia’s first national quantum communication network
The project represents a major milestone in Slovakia’s contribution to the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure initiative.
IonQ, the world’s leading quantum company, through its subsidiary ID Quantique (IDQ), has announced the deployment of Slovakia’s first national quantum communication network.
The latest initiative builds on IonQ’s acquisition of quantum networking pioneer Qubitekk in late 2024. That is the company that was a partner in building out the EPB Quantum Network and announced earlier this year a research partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Developed in partnership with the Institute of Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences (IPSAS), the new system features a resilient hybrid architecture designed to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure and support Europe’s quantum digital programs.
The Slovak Quantum Communication Infrastructure (skQCI) project represents a major milestone in Slovakia’s contribution to the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative, which seeks to establish a secure quantum-resistant communication backbone covering all European Union (EU) member states and territories. By integrating quantum-safe technologies at a national scale, Slovakia will directly reinforce the security of its most critical institutions.
“The skQCI project is a strategic milestone in fortifying the digital sovereignty of the EU,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IonQ. “By combining IonQ’s quantum-safe networking capabilities with the scientific leadership of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, we are building a secure, resilient, and state-of-the-art quantum communication network that can serve as a model for Europe.”
The system will connect multiple metropolitan and remote sites through a state-of-the-art QKD (Quantum Key Distribution) architecture, ensuring secure data movement serving four strategic locations. This approach is complemented by a hybrid QKD–PQC (post-quantum cryptography) system for cross-country connection.
This deployment builds on IonQ’s recent launch of its Geneva Quantum Network in Switzerland, connecting academic, government, and industry players. It also reinforces IonQ’s commitment to Europe through its recent announcement to transform Italy into a quantum hub through the Q-Alliance with the Italian government, the designation of Oxford as IonQ’s EMEA headquarters, as well as being named the primary quantum partner for Korea’s National Quantum Center of Excellence.
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