HellasQCI – Quantum Communication Infrastructure for Greece

HellasQCI – Quantum Communication Infrastructure for Greece
Funding
50% EU (Digital Europe Programme) 50% National Resources (Ministry of Digital Governance)
Duration
January 2023 - June 2026 (42 months)
Description

Description

The Greek Ministry of Digital Governance participates in the EuroQCI European Initiative for safe Quantum Communication Infrastructures - QCI.

With the EuroQCI Initiative, the EU aims to create a pan-European network of quantum communication infrastructures.

The objective of the HellasQCI project, which is part of the EuroQCI european network, is to contribute to the safe-keeping of critical data and infrastructures, in domains such as egovernment, healthcare, financial industry and many more critical areas.

This will be achieved by incorporating systems and technologies based on principles of quantum technology, more specifically by the distribution of quantum keys (QKD) to existing communication infrastructures, which will offer an exceptionally secure form of encryption, offering an extra layer of security.

Quantum encryption systems offer state-of-the-art security, as far as data protection is concerned, by using QKD technology.

The implementation of the project involves the creation of three quantum infrastructure metropolitan networks in Athens, Thessaloniki and Heraklion in Crete which will connect with three optical Ground Stations (OGSs) in Helmos, Holomontas and Skinakas.

Those network infrastructures will utilise quantum technology equipment (QKD), ground optical fibers, and satellite technologies.

The creation of this quantum infrastructure, combined with other initiatives will create a secure network for ground and satellite communications, ensuring the highest level of security in the government and private sectors.

The National Infrastructures for Research and Technology (GRNET), operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Digital Governance, is the coordinator for the HellasQCI project, in collaboration with 13 partners which include:

Government bodies
Research and Education Institutions with technical know-how in quantum technology (QKD)
Optical Ground Station operators
Bodies from the Telecommunication and Energy domains
Businesses that offer innovative solutions and tools in the technology sector.

There will also be a collaboration between Ireland, Luxemburg, Austria, Cyprus, Poland and Bulgaria for the exchange of technical know-how and best practices.

Funding: The total budget of the project is €9.997.545. European Union funding amounts up to 50% of the total budget (€4.998.772.50).

Partners :

1) NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY (GRNET) (GREECE - COORDINATOR)
2) MINISTRY OF DIGITAL GOVERNANCE (MINDIGITAL) (GREECE)
3) NATIONAL KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS (NKUA) (GREECE)
4) FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY (FORTH) (GREECE)
5) NATIONAL CENTRE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH “DEMOKRITOS” (NCSRD) (GREECE)
6) ARISTΟTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI (AUTH) (GREECE)
7) QUBITECH PRIVATE CAPITAL COMPANY (QUBI) )GREECE)
8) SPACE HELLAS ANONYMI ETAIREIA SYSTIMATA KAI YPIRESIES TILEPIKOINONION PLIROFORIKIS ASFALEIAS -IDIOTIKI EPICHEIRISI PAROCHIS YPERISION ASFALEIAS A.E. (SPH) (GREECE)
9) NATIONAL OBSERVATORY OF ATHENS (NOA) (GREECE)
10) MOTOR OIL (HELLAS) DIILISTIRIA KORINTHOU AE (MOH) (GREECE)
11) INSTITUTE OF COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS (ICCS) (GREECE)
12) UNIVERSITE DU LUXEMBOURG (UNILU) (LUXEMBOURG)
13) SOUTH EAST TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (WIT) (IRELAND)