Consortium
Eindhoven University of Technology
The Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e) in the Netherlands offers (pre)graduate engineering programmes (BSc and MSc) and post-graduate technological design, PhD and teacher training programmes (MSc) and post-academic continuing education. The courses are research-driven and design-oriented. TU/e coordinates several prominent Dutch research schools and institutes, such as Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (EHCI) and has a strong position within international research networks. The TU/e is a natural partner for technology-intensive enterprises. The campus is a fertile breeding ground for new business ventures. The TU/e hosts the Dutch national centre on III-V-semiconductors and optoelectronics. With these facilities, EHCI belongs to the world’s best-equipped academic research institute in the field of Photonics and Quantum.
Technical University of Denmark
Technical University of Denmark, in particular DTU Electro Machine Learning in Photonic Systems (MLiPS) group, is involved in several national and international projects that deal with the application of machine learning to photonic systems and networks. The focus of the group is on the theoretical work in terms of algorithm development as well as experimental work which focuses on the verifications of the algorithms. The expertise of the group is on nonlinear signal processing and machine learning algorithms applied to optical performance monitoring, sensors, transmission enhancement of the nonlinear optical channel and optoelectronic components characterization. Moreover, the group works with software development for the emulation of nonlinear channel emulation. The group has access to the state-of- the-art laboratory with capabilities of long-haul multi-channel > 1Tb/s transmission. The group has also access to measurement equipment in the range of 100 GHz.
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology was established by the merger of the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH and the Universität Karlsruhe (TH) on October 01, 2009. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a public non-profit institution pursuing the tasks of a State University of Baden-Wuerttemberg and of a national research center of the German Helmholtz Association. KIT’s mission combines the three strategic lines of activity of research, higher education, and innovation. With about 9.600 employees and 23.500 students, KIT is one of the largest institutions of research and higher education in natural sciences and engineering in Europe. Engineering sciences, natural sciences, the humanities, and social sciences make up the scope of subjects covered by KIT. In high interdisciplinary interaction, scientists of these disciplines study topics extending from the fundamentals to application and from the development of new technologies to the reflection of the relationship between man and technology.
University of Warsaw
Founded in 1816, The University offers studies in several dozen of fields of arts and sciences at 1 and 2 cycle programmes, as well as at the integrated Master programmes, for post- graduate students and PhD students. The total number of students exceeds 53 thousand. University of Warsaw recognizes doctoral studies as one of its priority activities and it pursues the aim of providing PhD students with the training of high quality and expending its pool of PhD studies programmes offered in English resulting in single or joint doctorates in partnership with European or non-European higher education establishments. University of Warsaw hosts the Centre for Quantum Optical Technologies, established in 2018 by the University of Warsaw in partnership with the University of Oxford under the International Research Agenda Programme operated by the Foundation for Polish Science. The Centre aims to explore quantum phenomena, such as superpositions and entanglement, in optical and optically controlled systems, with the long-term prospects of their practical utilisation. At present the Centre comprises of five laboratories pursuing research into quantum communication, sensing, imaging, as well as experimental development of quantum memories and fundamental aspects of quantum resources.
University of L’Aquila
Established in 1952 and is located in L’Aquila, Italy, the University of L’Aquila (UnivAQ) is a public teaching and research institution offering a full range of academic programs. With 7 departments, UnivAQ offers their 19,000 enrolled students 68 degree courses, 9 research doctorate programs, specialization schools, specializing-master courses and vocational courses. UnivAQ has a well-established research activity in the broad area of telecommunications, including radio communications as well as optical communications. Key to the present proposal is the Laboratory of Optics and Photonics, established within project INCIPICT (Innovating city planning through information and communication technologies) http://incipict.univaq.it/) in the process of reconstructing the city of L’Aquila after the devastating 2009 earthquake, which gives access to a unique fibre-optic test-bed for space-division multiplexed (SDM) transmission. The group of optics and photonics is also leading the National Laboratory of Advanced Optical fibres for Photonics (FIBERS) of CNIT (National, Inter-University Consortium for Telecommunications, www.cnit.it).
VPI Photonics
VPIphotonics provides professional simulation software for the design of integrated photonic devices, optoelectronic components and transmission systems. The company further supplies professional consulting services addressing customer-specific design, analysis and optimization requirements, and delivers training courses on suitable modelling techniques and advanced software capabilities. VPI’s award-winning off-the-shelf and customized solutions are used extensively in research and development, and by product design and marketing teams at hundreds of corporations worldwide. Over 160 academic institutions have joined the company’s University Program enabling students, educators and researchers access to VPI’s latest modelling and design innovations.
ADVA Network Security
ADVA Network Security (ANS) is a global provider of network security for telecommunications equipment. With innovative connectivity, timing, security, virtualization and network control solutions for Optical and Ethernet, ADVA Network Security solutions should also meet the highest requirements. That’s why we have our encryption technology tested by the most experienced and competent experts. We have been approved as a Qualified Manufacturer by the German Federal Ministry for Information Security (BSI) and our optical transmission technology has been approved for VS-NfD classified data. With NIST 140-2 certification, we also ensure that our encryption technology meets the high demands of American security authorities. Since several years ANS is working closely with partners to leverage QKD for optical communication networks. By now AND is playing an enabling role in the UK’s first quantum network (UKQN build by the Quantum Communications Hub, www.quantumcommshub.com), which is based on a metro transport system (ADVA FSP 3000 platform) within the city of Cambridge, also connecting the BT facilities close to
Ipswich with a trusted node link.
Nokia Bell Labs France
Nokia Bell Labs France, the French Nokia Bell Labs center and the second in size, is located in Nokia Paris-Saclay “Innovation City”, in Nozay close to Paris. The Nokia Paris-Saclay “Innovation City” is a large R&D location open to its ecosystems and partners, and is located in the vicinity of Paris-Saclay campus. Nokia Bell Labs France is covering research on III- V photonics devices, optical transmission and signal processing, IP and optical networking, end to end mobile network solutions, software defined wireless networks, networks algorithms and control, cyber security, analytics and mathematics of complex dynamic networks. Nokia Bell Labs France hosts also a team in charge of maturation of research results, and “Le Garage”, a dedicated space that fosters the “startup” spirit. As part of the open innovation strategy of Nokia Bell Labs, Nokia Bell Labs France is also highly active in collaborative programs, research partnerships, and joint research laboratories.
KEEQuant
KEEQuant GmbH is a start-up company in the field of quantum secure communication. Its core business is the development, production and sale of systems for quantum key distribution (QKD), as well as of crucial components of quantum technology. This forms the basis for permanently secure communication.The user’s security-critical data streams remain protected from access by third parties even in future scenarios – such as an attack by powerful quantum computers. KEEQuant GmbH also provides extensive expertise in the field of quantum security through consulting services.
ID Quantique
ID Quantique is a global market leader in Quantum safe security and Quantum sensing. ID Quantique (IDQ) harnesses light to develop and industrialize advanced quantum products and technologies for organizations to ensure long-term protection for data and public safety. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and engineering, development and research labs located around the world (Geneva – Switzerland, Boston – USA, Seoul – Korea). The company was created in Geneva, Switzerland in 2001 by four scientists from the University of Geneva who anticipated the important forthcoming impact of quantum physics on information technology. It initially operated as a small university spin-off, working on research projects to demonstrate the feasibility of quantum key distribution (or QKD, better known as quantum cryptography). In late 2003, IDQ developed the first QKD products for data centres and conducted the first test implementations. From 2010 onwards IDQ rolled out quantum-safe crypto solutions in both commercial and government markets worldwide. In 2018 IDQ raised additional capital from strategic investors, including South Korean telecommunications’ giant SK Telecom, with whom the company developed the world’s smallest Quantum Random Number Generator based on technology and know-how licensed from IDQ.
Infinera
Infinera is an industry-leading supplier of intelligent transport network solutions that provide the resilient foundation for the largest and most demanding Tier 1 carrier, cable operator, internet content provider (ICP), and enterprise networks worldwide. With a distinguished heritage of optical networking innovation and more than 2000 patents, Infinera’s end-to-end, multi-layer packet optical solutions enable network operators to scale network bandwidth on-demand, accelerate service provisioning, and automate operational tasks. Infinera solutions are built upon leadership in vertical integration, superior optical performance, and a unique Instant Bandwidth operational model that enable the lowest total cost of ownership and a rich end-user experience. www.infinera.com. Infinera owns Coriant
R&D GmbH which is part of Infinera Group. The legal entity participating in the consortium is Coriant R&D GmbH, but for simplicity we will refer to Infinera (INFI).
Quantum Telecommunications Italy
QTI (Quantum Telecommunications Italy) is an innovative start-up, founded in 2020 as a spin-off of the National Institute of Optics of the Italian National Research Council (CNR-INO) and represents today the state of the art of quantum communication in Italy. QTI’s founders have decades of experience in quantum communications. Back in 2020, they created the first quantum cryptography link over optical fiber in Italy in the metropolitan area of Florence and, in the same year, they demonstrated at the European Science Festival in Trieste (ESOF 2020) the first video call in Italy protected by quantum keys in the presence of former premier G. Conte. QTI has also contributed to the realisation of the first quantum communication between three European countries during the G20 event held in Trieste, Italy in 2021. Today QTI is part of more than five quantum-related projects, including EQUO and QUID for the realisation of the Italian Quantum Backbone of the EuroQCI, and commercialises QKD devices in Italy and Europe. QTI has also a research and development laboratory with state-of-the-art instrumentation both in the visible and infrared range. QTI is associated with Telsy S.p.A., the cybersecurity and cryptography center of the TIM Group.
NKT Photonics
NKT Photonics A/S is a Danish company that specializes in developing and manufacturing high-performance fiber lasers, supercontinuum sources, and photonic crystal fibers. Founded in 1999, they are a global leader in photonics, providing advanced solutions for industries such as manufacturing, defense, life sciences, and telecommunications. Their fiber lasers offer high power and precise control, while their supercontinuum sources generate broadband light for applications like microscopy and spectroscopy. NKT Photonics’ photonic crystal fibers enable precise control of light propagation. They are committed to innovation and customer satisfaction, continuously pushing the boundaries of technology.
Quantum Optical Technologies
Quantum Optical Technologies sp. z o.o. is a startup founded in 2021 by staff from the University of Warsaw: Konrad Banaszek and Lidia Tańska together with Michał Głowiński who contributes his thorough practical knowledge of cybersecurity aspects of IT systems as well as substantial managerial experience. The company aims to provide cost-effective, quantum-based solutions to enhance the security of communication systems and to bridge the gap between science and business by helping its clients to embrace the rapid technology progress and secure data using state-of-the-art technologies.
Exatel
Exatel is one of leading Polish telecommunication service operators. It provides various telecommunication and cybersecurity services to many groups of customers, ranging from large telecommunication operators to ISP, datacenters, public sector, critical infrastructure and enterprise market, including WLAN services based on Wi-Fi technology. To meet the increasing needs of its customers, EXA has introduced a wide R&D strategy, which covers broad product portfolio under in-house development: from cybersecurity services, served using original technology to a modern line of original telecommunication equipment, built upon SDN technology. Since 2019 EXATEL supports Polish Ministry of Science and Education in development of EuroQCI project, as industrial advisor to Polish Sherpa, working directly with DG CONNECT of European Commision and representatives of Member States.
University of Geneva
The Department of Applied Physics at the University of Geneva consists of about 40 members working on quantum communication, quantum optics, quantum theory, sensing and metrology. On the national level, the group has been part of the Swiss National Center of Competence in Research in Quantum Science & Technology (NCCR-QSIT) and have recently been awarded a Swiss Transitional project in “Quantum Communication Networks: Quantum Encryption & Repeaters”. We also participated and participate in several EC projects. The group has a long experience in QKD, on the experimental as well as on the theoretical level. We brought QKD to the real world, in particular, in 2001 it demonstrated QKD over 67km between Geneva and Lausanne. It invented the Coherent One-Way Protocol (COW) and more recently a simplified BB84 protocol, which is designed for GHz clock rates. The group has also an extensive activity on future long-distance quantum communication based on quantum repeaters.
Telecom Italia (TIM)
TIM is the leading group in Italy and Brazil in the ICT sector, developing fixed, mobile, cloud and datacenters’ infrastructures and offering services and products for communications and entertainment, placing itself at the forefront of digital technologies.
The group makes use of specialized factories that offer integrated digital solutions for citizens, businesses, and public administrations, also in partnership with groups of primary importance: Noovle is the TIM cloud company, Olivetti is the digital hub with a focus on the development of Internet of Things solutions, Telsy operates in the cybersecurity sector and Sparkle creates and provides international infrastructures and services.
In Brazil, TIM Brasil is one of the main players in the South American communications market and leader in 4G coverage.
TIM’s Innovation sector is represented by the Chief Innovation & Information Office where around 200 researchers work with the availability of over 9,000 m2 of Technological Laboratories in its innovation centers. The work carried out is the outcome of a strategic partnership with the main manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and systems, and with centers of excellence in research at the most highly qualified national and international academic institutions. On the international level TIM has pledged a substantial commitment to the task of standardization and has been involved from the beginning in the European Union Framework Programs starting with the first pilot projects of the ESPRIT program in 1983 and continuing as one the primary European collaborators. TIM has actively participated in the eighth European Framework Program Horizon 2020 with about 40 funded projects, of which it has coordinated many; it has also participated in EIT Digital projects since its foundation and in other European and national research activities.
In developing its business, TIM has adopted a sustainability strategy based on the objectives of climate strategy, the circular economy, digital growth and gender equality, with the aim of becoming carbon neutral in 2030 and achieve zero net emissions by 2040.
