Partners in the Romanian National Quantum Communication Infrastructure (RoNaQCI) project met in Timișoara

Romanian National Quantum Communication Infrastructure

The partners in the national research project RoNaQCI, which aims to develop a quantum communication infrastructure in Romania spanning over 1,500 kilometers and establish six metropolitan networks in the cities of Bucharest, Iași, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Craiova, and Constanța, featuring 36 Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) links covering the entire country, connecting 10 universities, 5 research institutes, 5 public institutions, 3 data centers, and a medical clinic, with future links planned for interconnection with the European network in the field, met on October 12-13, 2023, in Timișoara. This marked the first consortium-wide meeting of all project partners.

During the two days, the steps for implementing the project were presented at the Western University and Politehnica University Timișoara. Additionally, there were technical presentations focusing on quantum technologies and the necessary equipment for the project's practical realization.

It is estimated that early 2024, the equipment will be installed, with the quantum communication node in Timișoara coordinated by Politehnica University Timișoara and the Western University. Among the beneficiaries are the Timiș County School Inspectorate and the OncoHelp Clinic.

Starting from early next year, training courses for specialists who will operate the quantum communication network will start. Initially, this will involve training trainers, followed by the preparation and certification of those interested in these technologies.

During the meeting in Timișoara, the first certificate in the field of Quantum Computing in Romania was awarded to Professor Aurelian Isar from the National Institute for Research and Development in Physics and Nuclear Engineering "Horia Hulubei."

Politehnica University Timisoara has already inaugurated the Quantum Communications and Computing Training Center within the Electro building. This center will provide training in quantum technology for specialists who will install, configure, and manage quantum computing and communication facilities and equipment in the western region of the country, offering certifications in quantum technologies. Furthermore, Politehnica University Timisoara has a strong expertise in quantum technologies, with over 20 years of research activities and even master's level courses since 2007.

Quantum communications represent an emerging field in its early stages of development, and the RoNaQCI project is a significant step forward in implementing state-of-the-art quantum communication technology to address the most critical challenges of the digital age. Additionally, the project is perfectly aligned with the Digital Europe program, as its primary objective is to build and implement a secure quantum communication infrastructure in Romania that will serve as the local backbone for a future "quantum internet" on a larger scale within the EU. The primary advantage of quantum communications lies in the security of transmitted data, due to much stronger encryption algorithms.