en.Wedoany.com Reported - Led by Indra Space, the Iberian Quantum Communication Infrastructure (IberianQCI) project has officially launched, aiming to build the Iberian segment of the future European Quantum Communication Network (EuroQCI), ensuring high-security connections between EU member states and protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive information.
The IberianQCI project is expected to last three years and plans to connect the national quantum communication infrastructures of Portugal and Spain, creating an integrated network fully interoperable with the European architecture. This project complements existing efforts under EuroQCI, the Portuguese Quantum Communication Infrastructure (PTQCI), and the Portuguese-led DISCRETION project, which aims to enhance military cybersecurity.
Funded by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the project is coordinated by Portugal through Indra Space and collaborates with scientific, technological, and industrial entities from both countries. Portuguese partners include Infraestruturas de Portugal, IP Telecom, Instituto de Telecomunicações, Altice Labs, and Instituto Superior Técnico; Spanish participants include the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Telefónica, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the Institute of Photonic Sciences in Barcelona, the Galicia Supercomputing Center, and the University of Vigo.
The development of quantum communication is crucial for addressing global cybersecurity challenges posed by future quantum supercomputers. These communication systems enable ultra-secure and nearly impenetrable data transmission, serving as a cornerstone for protecting critical infrastructure, government data, and financial institutions. Unlike traditional networks, quantum connections can distribute unbreakable encryption keys based on physical principles, where any interception attempt is immediately detected.
IberianQCI adopts a hybrid architecture combining terrestrial and space components. It plans to establish a cross-border connection between Vigo and Valença, using trusted nodes to enhance connectivity between the two countries and integrating existing national networks. The space component includes three optical ground stations located in Madrid, Barcelona, and southern Portugal, connected to the ground segment in Lisbon. These ground stations can securely communicate with the EAGLE-1 demonstration satellite in low Earth orbit and the future SAGA constellation, ensuring quantum key distribution even between countries without shared borders.
