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LATQN, ID Nr. 101091559
Funding
The project “Development of experimental quantum communication infrastructure in Latvia” is co-funded by the European Union.
Total budget is 8 061 380.00 EUR, of which co-funded by the European Union: 4 030 690.00 EUR (50% of the total eligible costs of the project).
The term of the Project implementation is 36 months from 01.01.2023 to 31.12.2025.
Project partners:
- Leading partners and coordinator – SJSC “Latvia State Radio and Television Center” (LVRTC)
- Private sector partner – LLC “Tet”
- Research and scientific partner – Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Latvia (ICMS UL)
- State sector partner – Electronic Communications Office of Latvia
Activities:
- Deployment of national infrastructure QKD backbone
- Integration of QKD into communication networks and development of government data processing applications
- Testbed for Secure QKD backbone gateway for wireless networks, including 5G (use case)
- Secure data transmission for healthcare sector data (use case)
- Secure data transmission for finance sector data (use case)
- Long-distance QKD solutions research activities (use case)
- Dissemination, training and publicity activities for various user groups
Description
On 11 February 2021 Latvia has signed the EuroQCI declaration joining other European countries to build a quantum communication infrastructure spanning the EU and its overseas territories (EuroQCI). As of now, all 27 EU Member States have committed to working together alongside the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) to build the EuroQCI with the aim of increasing the scientific and technological capacity of the EU, the competitiveness of quantum technologies and production. The Declaration sets out the objectives of building cooperation between EU Member States to explore how to create an integrated quantum secure communication infrastructure that enhances the scientific and technological capabilities of the EU, the competitiveness of quantum technologies and industry, and, with the increasing risk of cyber threats in the coming decade, is safe from a cybersecurity point of view and promotes the strategic autonomy of the EU.
The activities carried out in the project will contribute to the overall objectives of the Digital Europe Programme, as the Quantum Communication network will be able to be used to ensure the safe use of services for the needs of public authorities, private companies and individuals. The project concerns cybersecurity, one of the areas covered by the Digital Europe Programme.
The project is directly linked to objective 3 “Cybersecurity and reliability” of the Digital Europe Programme, as it will involve investments in advanced cybersecurity equipment, infrastructure and science, which are essential to protect the infrastructure of electronic communications networks and the Digital Single market as a whole. The project will cover part of Digital Europe objective 4 “Advanced Digital skills”, as the project will provide user training in the use of quantum technologies in cybersecurity. The objective and expected results of the project will directly address the priority of the Digital Europe Programme – modernisation of European public administration, as the results of the project can be used to provide public services based on new technologies and knowledge.
As a result of the Project implementation, a national level experimental QKD network will be developed, including integration in the existing communications networks of the Project partners. The experimental QKD network will consist of an infrastructure QKD backbone (public and closed parts), where quantum encryption solutions will be integrated. A trusted node software solution for managing data exchange within public and closed networks will be implemented.
Project news
2024
From 01.07.2024 to 30.09.2024, the following activities have been carried out:
- Continued work on the work package related to use case – secure data transmission for healthcare sector data;
- Work and planning continues within the work package called Integration of QKD into communication networks and development of government data processing applications;
- Continued activities stemming from the action plan for the areas of improvement as identified during the EC project review of the project’s 2023 outputs;
- Work continues on the work package called Use Case Testbed for Secure QKD backbone gateway for wireless networks;
- Amendment to project documents has been submitted to the European Commission regarding the extension of the project implementation period by 6 months;
- Further engagement within the broader EuroQCI community activities with the participation in supporting project’s named Petrus events, 3rd survey submission as input for one of the EuroQCI Technical working groups, feedback towards the continuation plans of the EuroQCI vision along with other EU member states;
- Continued project presentations to local stakeholders and participation within the broader scientific community in the form of publications.Information updated 30.09.2024.
From 01.04.2024. to 30.06.2024., the following activities have been carried out:
- Completion of the 1st reporting period or receipt of the full 2023 intermediate assessment. A plan has been prepared and implementation initiated to address the identified gaps. Confirmation received on the submitted deliverables as well as costs.
- Work continues on the activity related to use cases for secure data transfer in the health sector;
- Work on the integration of quantum devices in communication networks and the development of public sector data processing applications continues;
- Work on the secure use of quantum devices in wireless networks is ongoing;
- Continued representation of the Latvian Project in various EU Member state forums and European Commission activities;
- The third Project Monitoring Board (UP) regular meeting has taken place;
- Documents have been prepared and submitted to the European Commission to extend the Project implementation period by 6 months, given the nature of the delays.
Information updated on 24.07.2024.
From 1.10.2023 to 31.12.2023, the following activities have been carried out:
- Work on the integration of quantum devices in communication networks and the development of public sector data processing applications continues, resulting in a report on methods, protocols and software architecture solutions;
- Work on the secure use of quantum devices in wireless networks is ongoing and has resulted in a report on a set of experimental networks consisting of four test circuits and containing information on test scenarios for integrating optical quantum networks into existing wireless communication networks (including 5G, Wi-Fi, IoT);
- The work on the section on use cases for secure data transmission in the health sector is ongoing and has resulted in first test reports, which will be expanded at a later stage;
- The 2nd scientific publication out of a total of three planned has been produced;
- The project partners have purchased a significant part of the equipment needed for the Project. The remainder is expected to be delivered mainly in the next quarter or Q2 2024.
- A report on the activities carried out and the costs incurred for the 1st reporting period (01.01.2023-31.12.2023) has been prepared and submitted;
- Presentation of the project deliverables for the 1st reporting period and the progress of the Project implementation to experts and European Commision.
Information updated 28.03.2023
2023
From 1.10.2023 to 31.12.2023, the following activities have been carried out:
- Development of functional requirements and software architecture for integration of QKD into communication networks and development of government data processing applications;
- Development of use case – secure data transmission for healthcare sector data. Identification of specific requirements and definition of test scenarios as well as review of requirements for healthcare sector data secure transmission environment and parameters;
- Initial monitoring and performance report of the deployed QKD infrastructure (Public).
- Test report of fibre feasibility of all prototype nodes;
- The planned amendments in Project plan have been compiled (to be accepted in the first quarter of 2024);
- The process of preparing and announcing procurements for the purchase of quantum equipment has been completed. As a result some of the Partners have already received equipment, but full delivery of all equipment is planned for the 1st quarter of 2024;
- The 1st scientific publication was prepared;
- In accordance with the Project’s publicity and dissemination plan, a public event has been organized and conducted. During the forum “5G Technology” LVRTC introduced the public with the Project and quantum technologies in general. 11 partners – “Latvia State Radio and Television Center”, “Electronic Communications Office of Latvia”, University of Latvia, Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, “LMT”, “TET”, “Mikrotīkls”, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development – signed a memorandum of understanding on the development of quantum technologies in Latvia. LVRTC was the initiator of memorandum.
- The project representatives met with quantum encryption key project colleagues of Estonia and Finland.
- The second Project Monitoring Board (UP) regular meeting has taken place.
Information updated 29.12.2023
From 01.07.2023 to 30.09.2023, the following activities have been carried out:
- Work continues defining a functional requirements and development of software architecture which is necessary for the start of QKD backbone network testbed implementation phase. The works are expected to be completed in the month of October;
- Work continues developing a report about requirements and defined test scenarios for healthcare sector. The works are expected to be completed in the month of October;
- Some of the partners have concluded procurement procedures for the supply of quantum technology equipment. The process is expected to be fully completed for Consortium in the last quarter of the year 2023;
- A draft of amendments to the Grant agreement has been prepared and sent, which corresponds to the actual project implementation, personnel, budget;
- On-going work on information dissemination and publicity activities.
Information updated 04.10.2023
01.04.2023 to 30.06.2023
- A semi-annual meeting of the Project Monitoring Board was held, which was attended by all project partners, and discussed issues related to the Project activities and deliverables, publicity and dissemination of results, procurements and their status, budget and it’s usage, as well as project risks and their management;
- The project coordinator has participated in a EuroQCI regular event in Brussels, an exchange of experience with representatives of other projects;
- The process of developing the technical specification of quantum technology equipment to be purchased within the framework of the Project has been concluded, as well as the procurement process has been started;
- Development of possible qualification parameters and test methodology for quantum optical infrastructure has been completed;
- The dissemination and exploitation plan has been finalised.
Information updated 30.06.2023
01.01.2023 to 31.03.2023
- The kick-off meeting of the Project Monitoring Board was held, in which all project partners participated, and at which issues related to the detailed plan, deadlines, scientific development, publicity, division of work and responsibilities, as well as mutual means of communication were discussed;
- The project coordinator has participated in the opening event of EuroQCI in Brussels, has met with representatives of other projects, as well as presented the Latvian Project;
- The Project’s home page has been created, as well as the 1st message has been inserted (www.latqn.eu);
- The process of developing the technical specification of quantum technology equipment to be purchased within the framework of the Project has been started and is continuing, as well as preparations for procurement regulations are being carried out;
- The development of possible optical infrastructure QKD feasibility qualification parameters and testing methodology has been started and is continuing, which is expected to be completed by 30.06.2023
- The development of a dissemination and exploitation plan has been started and is continuing, which is expected to be completed by 30.06.2023.
Information updated 30.03.2023