Coordinate the first deployment of national EuroQCI projects and prepare the large-scale QKD testing and certification infrastructure

Topic description

ExpectedOutcome:

Expected outcomes and deliverables

• A full set of requirements for an operational QKD infrastructure facility covering EU needs in terms of testing, experimentation, and validation of QKD devices, technologies and systems, with a view to their standardisation and accreditation [within the first six months of the action];
• consolidated feedback from the national deployments at real scale, identifying the complementary activities (including technology developments) required to establish a complete the EU QKD ecosystem;
• a well-coordinated assessment of the first deployments of EuroQCI networks and systems for preparing the full deployment phase of the EuroQCI.

To coordinate the developments and findings of the national QCI projects; to prepare for the deployment of a flexible large-scale testing and certification QKD infrastructure that is in the service of all relevant actors of the participating Member States; and to assess the full-scale compliance of different EU technologies with a view to their later integration in EuroQCI. This support is needed to contribute to European technological autonomy in the highly strategic field of quantum communication technologies.

• Prepare to deploy a large-scale testing and certification infrastructure for QKD devices, technologies and systems, facilitating their standardisation and accreditation at EU level. The infrastructure will define the requirements for a fully operational QKD infrastructure facility covering EU needs in terms of testing, experimentation, and validation of QKD devices, technologies and systems, with a view to their accreditation; (including the definition of mutual recognition criteria in security).
• Coordinate national QCI projects: support discussions on user requirements and use cases, and return of experience from the deployment of advanced national quantum systems and networks including on EU QKD components and systems; coordinate the activities for developing an EU QKD ecosystem and the industrialisation of QKD devices in the EU; support the discussions on the further development of the national deployment plans and strategic efforts, for achieving an overall EuroQCI system (spatial and terrestrial segments).

Implementation: European Commission