Cyprus is participating in Europe’s quantum communications through SEEWQCI Project

Cyprus is making a bold leap towards technological leadership by actively participating in one of the European Union’s most groundbreaking initiatives in the field of quantum communications, according to Cyprus University of Technology (CUT).

CUT said in a press release that the South-East Europe to Western Europe Quantum Communication Infrastructure (SEEWQCI) project, which includes Cyprus as a key partner, has received an exceptional score of 24/25 from the European Commission, placing it among the top proposals approved for funding under the CEF Digital programme.

The Cypriot effort within SEEWQCI is led by Photonics and Optical Sensors Research Laboratory (PhOSLab) at Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and implemented in close collaboration with the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA), the Digital Security Authority (DSA), and the Department of Electronic Communications of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy (DMRID), the CUT press release said.

It added that “together, these organisations are shaping Cyprus’ role as a critical geostrategic hub in the creation of a secure and scalable “quantum corridor” linking South-East Europe with Western Europe, enhancing the interoperability and resilience of Europe’s communications networks”.

SEEWQCI will develop 1,100 km of terrestrial quantum key distribution (QKD) network, implement more than 29 cross-border quantum links, and deploy five Optical Ground Stations (OGS), one of which will be based in Cyprus.

The Cypriot OGS will interconnect with national and European quantum infrastructures and will make use of the EAGLE-1 satellite for the secure distribution of quantum keys via space, supporting multiple technological configurations (terrestrial-to-terrestrial, space-to-space, hybrid).

This infrastructure, the press release said, “will strengthen Cyprus’ technological capabilities and place the country at the heart of secure communications in the Eastern Mediterranean”.

(Source: CNA)

Also read: Nicodemos Damianou on Cyprus’ role in “highly significant” quantum communication project