CiViQ · Project

Quantum-Secure Encryption for Telecom Networks Using Standard Fiber Infrastructure

digitalPilotedTRL 6

Imagine someone could listen to every phone call or data transfer your company makes — that's the threat quantum computers will pose to today's encryption. CiViQ built a way to protect data using the laws of physics instead of math puzzles that future computers could crack. The clever part is it works over the same fiber-optic cables telecom companies already have in the ground, so no ripping up streets. They built working prototypes, replicated them across 2 to 4 systems, and tested them in real telecom network conditions with major European operators.

By the numbers

consortium partners across Europe

countries represented in the consortium

industry partners including major telecom operators

TRL 6

target technology readiness level for CV-QKD systems

2 to 4

replicated CV-QKD system demonstrators

total project deliverables completed

50%

industry participation ratio in consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Every encrypted communication your company sends today — financial transactions, trade secrets, customer data — is vulnerable to a threat called 'harvest now, decrypt later.' Adversaries are already storing encrypted traffic, waiting for quantum computers powerful enough to crack it. Current encryption relies on math problems that quantum computers will solve easily, and the transition to quantum-safe security takes years to implement across networks.

The solution

What was built

The project built and lab-validated multiple CV-QKD system demonstrators: a high-speed receiver module with photonic integrated circuits, a complete system using off-the-shelf telecom components replicated 2 to 4 times, signal processing electronics, and a high-performance CV-QKD system — all designed to plug into existing software-defined optical networks.

Audience

Who needs this

National telecom operators looking to offer quantum-secure servicesBanks and financial exchanges protecting high-value transaction dataGovernment agencies securing classified communications infrastructureCloud service providers differentiating on security for enterprise clientsDefense contractors upgrading military communication networks

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Telecommunications

enterprise

Target: National or regional telecom operators running fiber networks

If you are a telecom operator worried about quantum computing breaking your customers' encrypted traffic — this project developed CV-QKD systems validated in lab conditions with off-the-shelf components, designed to integrate into your existing software-defined optical networks. The consortium included 12 industry partners including major telecoms, and replicated 2 to 4 working systems. This means you could upgrade your network security without replacing your fiber infrastructure.

Financial Services

enterprise

Target: Banks and stock exchanges handling high-value encrypted transactions

If you are a bank or financial institution where a single data breach could cost millions — this project built quantum key distribution hardware reaching TRL 6 that coexists with standard WDM channels on existing fiber. With 24 partners across 9 countries validating the technology, you get a physics-based security layer that no future computer can break, protecting transactions over metropolitan and country-wide distances.

Critical Infrastructure

enterprise

Target: Energy grid operators, government agencies, defense communications providers

If you run critical national infrastructure where communication interception is a matter of national security — CiViQ developed high-performance photonic integrated circuits for quantum-secure communication that dramatically reduce cost through integration of off-the-shelf components. The project delivered 32 deliverables including 4 working demonstrations, giving you a validated path to quantum-proof your most sensitive links.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does a CV-QKD system cost compared to traditional encryption?

The project specifically targeted cost reduction by using off-the-shelf telecom components and developing photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for ultra-low cost systems. Exact pricing is not published in the project data, but the design philosophy was to make quantum security affordable by reusing existing telecom hardware rather than requiring specialized equipment.

Can this work at industrial scale across real telecom networks?

Yes — the project explicitly targeted country-wide QKD reach and validated the technology in true telecom network environments. The consortium replicated 2 to 4 complete systems using off-the-shelf components, and the CV-QKD approach was designed for coexistence with standard WDM channels, meaning it can share existing fiber with normal data traffic.

What is the IP situation — can we license this technology?

The consortium of 24 partners across 9 countries includes 12 industry partners and 3 SMEs. IP is likely distributed among consortium members under their grant agreement. Companies interested in licensing specific components — such as the photonic integrated circuits or the software-defined network integration — should contact the coordinator ICFO in Spain or relevant industry partners.

Is this technology compliant with emerging quantum security regulations?

CiViQ actively pursued standardized interfaces and contributed to the foundations of quantum communication standards. As EU and national regulators begin mandating quantum-safe encryption for critical infrastructure, technology validated at TRL 6 in real telecom environments positions early adopters ahead of compliance deadlines.

How long before we could deploy this in our network?

The project closed in March 2022 with lab-validated demonstrators and telecom network validation. Based on available project data, the technology reached TRL 6. Commercial deployment would require engineering for specific network configurations, but the use of off-the-shelf components and software-defined networking integration was designed to shorten that timeline significantly.

Does this require replacing our existing fiber network?

No — a core design goal was seamless co-integration with existing optical networks. The CV-QKD systems were specifically engineered to coexist with standard WDM channels on the same fiber, meaning you add quantum security as a layer on top of your current infrastructure rather than replacing it.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a heavyweight consortium — 24 partners across 9 countries with a rare 50% industry ratio, meaning half the team comes from companies that need this technology in their own networks. The 12 industry partners include major European telecoms, QKD system integrators, and component developers, alongside 5 universities and 7 research organizations providing the scientific foundation. With 3 SMEs in the mix, there are also agile companies positioned to commercialize specific components. The coordinator, ICFO in Spain, is a world-class photonics institute. This broad mix of telecoms (who define the requirements), component makers (who build the hardware), and researchers (who push performance boundaries) is exactly what you need to move quantum security from the lab to real networks.

FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUESCoordinator · ES
INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE EN INFORMATIQUE ET AUTOMATIQUEparticipant · FR
NEXTWORKS SRLparticipant · IT
AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GMBHparticipant · AT
TELEFONICA SAthirdparty · ES
ORANGE SAparticipant · FR
CENTRE TECNOLOGIC DE TELECOMUNICACIONS DE CATALUNYAthirdparty · ES
QUSIDE TECHNOLOGIES SLparticipant · ES
HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES DUESSELDORF GMBHparticipant · DE
VLC PHOTONICS SLparticipant · ES
CORIANT R&D GMBHparticipant · DE
TELEKOM DEUTSCHLAND GMBHparticipant · DE
UNIVERSITY OF YORKparticipant · UK
INSTITUT MINES-TELECOMparticipant · FR
TELEFONICA INVESTIGACION Y DESARROLLO SAparticipant · ES
MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD - MLNXparticipant · IL
DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITETparticipant · DK
UNIVERZITA PALACKEHO V OLOMOUCIparticipant · CZ
NOKIA NETWORKS FRANCEparticipant · FR
MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EVparticipant · DE
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSparticipant · FR
UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRIDparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUES (ICFO) in Barcelona, Spain — a leading European photonics research center

Order a report on this consortium See FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUES profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the CiViQ team or a detailed brief on how their quantum-secure technology fits your network? Contact SciTransfer for a matchmaking consultation.

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