Deploy Advanced Quantum Communication Infrastructure (QCI) in Hungary

ongoing

The QCIHungary project aims to lay down the foundations of a national quantum communication infrastructure in Hungary, with the eventual goal to participate in the creation of a larger pan-European quantum network. We plan to connect the capital, Budapest, with three cities in three different directions (Győr, Nagykanizsa, Szeged) with the future possibility of cross-border connections with Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, and Romania. Within Budapest a metropolitan network is envisioned to be employed for various purposes. The backbone and a part of the metropolitan network will be constructed from commercial quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. One of the links, connecting two major governmental data centres, will be utilised for a real use-case. The project also builds on previous efforts to develop a continuous variable as well as an entanglement based QKD system over optical fibres. In addition to terrestrial, optical fibre based QKD systems we intend to prepare for later satellite-based QKD connections by developing a free-space quantum link and by the installation of a quantum-capable ground station. We complement our deployment efforts by developing a software stack including a universal encryptor including authentication and encryption of the sent data using classical cryptographic methods and interface to the deployed advanced QKD systems. Another important aspect of the project is training and education: we will work out methodologies and training materials for various audiences and a simulator software for our courses. We will actively engage in international collaborations with neighbouring and other EU countries in order to exchange practical experiences and to coordinate future work.