European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) Initiative

- European Quantum Communications Network

Today's connected world is more vulnerable than ever to cyberattacks, underscoring the importance of secure encryption to protect critical infrastructure and communications in Europe. An agreement between the European Commission and the European Space Agency today marks the first step towards creating a highly secure pan-European quantum communication infrastructure. 

The development of the ground components of the quantum communication infrastructure will be the responsibility of the EC Directorate General for Communication Networks, Content and Technologies (DG Connect). 

It will include a series of quantum communications networks, linking institutional users and their critical infrastructure, as well as sensitive communications and data sites across Europe. 

The space-based component, called SAGA (Security and Encryption Mission), will be developed by ESA and will consist of a satellite quantum communication system covering Europe.

- European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative

EuroQCI will be a secure quantum communication infrastructure across the entire European Union, including its overseas territories.

The European Commission is working with all 27 EU member states and the European Space Agency (ESA) to design, develop and deploy EuroQCI, which will consist of a ground segment relying on a fiber-optic communications network linking strategic sites nationally and across regions - Boundary layers, and satellite-based space segments. It will be part of the new EU space-based security communication system, IRIS².

EuroQCI will protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure by integrating quantum-based systems into existing communications infrastructure, providing an additional layer of security based on quantum physics. It will strengthen the protection of European government agencies, data centers, hospitals, energy networks, etc., and become one of the main pillars of the EU's cybersecurity strategy in the coming decades.

EuroQCI will utilize innovative quantum communication technologies, such as those developed by researchers of the EU-funded Quantum Technologies Flagship, and build in particular on the activities of the Horizon 2020 OPENQKD project. The involvement of European industry partners and SMEs is also crucial to ensure that key components of EuroQCI are based on European technology and ultimately boost European scientific, technical and industrial capabilities in cybersecurity and quantum technologies. The initiative will thus contribute to European digital sovereignty and industrial competitiveness, and to the achievement of the European Digital Decade goal of being at the forefront of quantum capabilities by 2030.

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