The creation of the first national quantum optical communications network in the Republic of Cyprus is the goal of a new research program secured by the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), under the name Cyprus Quantum Communication Infrastructure “CYQCI”.
CYQCI is co-funded by the European Commission and the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy in the context of the “Digital Europe Programmme”). The award grant amounts to 7.5 million euros, and will be co-financed equally by European and national funds until 2025.
The kick-off event will take place on Monday, 15 May 2023 at 13:00 – 17:00 in the hall of the University Senate, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr. Filippos Hatzizacharias.
The national research project “CYQCI” is the product of a consortium led and coordinated by the Cyprus University of Technology in collaboration with the Department of Electronic Communications of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Digital Policy Innovation the Digital Security Authority, the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA) and the Cyprus Research and Academic Network (CYNET).
The Project Coordinator is Professor Kyriacos Kalli, from CUT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering and Informatics.
The project will create an advanced experimental optical network in Cyprus, based on quantum key distribution (QKD), which will enable highly secure information transfer between critical public, academic and industrial end-users in Cyprus. At the same time, its interconnection with the European quantum communication network – known as EuroQCI – is planned through an Optical Ground Station (OGS), with the aim of developing a quantum-secure, trans-European network. Through CYQCI, the research team of CUT will conduct cutting edge research (in the field of photonics, free space optical communications) related to quantum communications aiming to establish Cyprus in the EU27 EuroQCI R&D club.
The integration of this state-of-the-art technology into the existing national communications infrastructure is a leap forward in the modernization and digital transformation of the country’s cybersecurity policies. At the same time, the project aims to strengthen technical expertise in the field of quantum communications, opening up opportunities to participate in related research activities, training initiatives and also in the development of the network itself.
The project started on January 1st, 2023 and will last until August 31st, 2025.
