Launch of QUID, the italian quantum communication network

The QUID (Quantum Italy Deployment) project is the Italian implementation of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), promoted by the European Commission with the aim of creating a European infrastructure for quantum communication.

In the course of the project, existing communication infrastructures, whether fibre-optic or airborne, will be integrated and equipped with quantum key distribution (QKD) systems, which will cover a large part of the national territory; at the same time, QUID promotes the development of Italian companies that produce systems and services for quantum communication to different categories of users.

The main purpose of QUID is the development of nodes in quantum metropolitan area networks (QMANs), interconnected through the Italian Quantum Backbone, an infrastructure that covers the Italian territory and distributes, with unprecedented stability and accuracy, time and sampling frequency signals using commercial optical fibres. In each QMAN, quantum key exchanges will take place between nodes using discrete variable QKD systems; distances greater than metropolitan will be covered using 'trusted' nodes or innovative Twin-Field QKD techniques (with 'untrusted' nodes).

QUID will also unite important sites for the connection between fibre-optic communication and the space segment of the European QCI.

Alongside these infrastructural activities, QUID places great emphasis on the development of methods for the optimal delivery of quantum communication services.

Finally, QUID leaves room for the development of innovative QKD techniques, for increasing the transmission frequency, for the use of new types of optical fibres and for free-space transmission.

The QUID consortium brings together leading Italian companies in the sector, leading research institutes involved in quantum communication, for both the terrestrial and space segment, and universities engaged in innovation and education.

The involvement of companies that produce QKD devices, operate telecommunications networks and terrestrial and space services, and that offer integrated IT security solutions, will enable the easy connection of QKD systems in communication networks across the country.

Il consorzio, guidato dall’Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM), è composto, oltre che dal Politecnico di Milano, da: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Coherentia, Thales Alenia Space – Italia, QTI, Leonardo, ThinkQuantum, Tim SpA, Telsy, Telespazio, Consorzio TOP-IX, Università degli studi dell’Aquila, Università La Sapienza, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Università degli Studi di Padova, Università degli Studi di Trieste.