en.Wedoany.com Reported - Six entities from Spain, Austria, and the Netherlands have jointly launched the QUARTERNEXT project, aiming to develop next-generation Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems and components for European terrestrial networks over the next 48 months. Coordinated by Luxquanta, the consortium includes Quside, Chilas, fragmentiX, Telefónica Innovación Digital, and the Austrian Institute of Technology. The partners will integrate technological and industrial capabilities to create solutions that are more compact, interoperable, and prepared for future security evaluation and certification processes.
The team will develop systems and components based on integrated photonic circuits, designed for scalable manufacturing, integration with telecommunications networks, and industrial deployment. These developments align with European priorities in secure connectivity, technological sovereignty, and the deployment of quantum communication infrastructure, and are consistent with the European Quantum Communications Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative, which aims to protect Europe's sensitive communications and strategic infrastructure. Additionally, the project will conduct compliance testing and security evaluations according to common criteria to promote standardization and interoperability among multi-vendor quantum communication systems in Europe.
QUARTERNEXT builds on the QUARTER project, a European initiative also led by Luxquanta from 2023 to 2025, which successfully matured QKD systems, Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG), integrated low-noise lasers, and key management systems, and validated their integration into existing optical fibers. The previous project also conducted interoperability demonstrations between vendors and completed tests in sectors such as healthcare, data centers, cloud, banking, and finance. Building on these results, the new initiative will develop systems and components that are more compact, interoperable, and ready for security evaluation and certification processes.
Sebastián Etcheverry, Chief Technology Officer of Luxquanta and project coordinator, stated: "With QUARTERNEXT, we integrate the consortium's capabilities to move from technology validation to the certification of systems ready for deployment in critical infrastructure. We have already proven that quantum cryptography is robust enough for demanding operational environments; the challenge now is to achieve the certification standards required by Europe against quantum threats while continuing to mature the relevant components and systems."
The project's outcomes will also support the Nostradamus project, a European initiative led by Petrus focusing on evaluation and certification methodologies for QKD systems and quantum security environments, aiming to provide testing and validation systems to generate European certification standards. This connection links the consortium's technological development with preparations for future security evaluations in quantum communications.
In this context, QUARTERNEXT reinforces its commitment to European technological sovereignty by developing quantum communication components manufactured entirely in Europe. The project aligns with initiatives such as PIXEurope, a European pilot production line promoted under the Chips Joint Undertaking to advance integrated photonic circuits, thereby reducing technological dependence on non-European suppliers in strategic areas related to Europe's economic and national security.
