Quantum technology specialists from across Europe gathered at the Camden Court Hotel in Dublin (July 1-3) for a three-day conference organised by Ireland QCI project leads at Walton Institute in South-East Technological University (SETU) and supported by ESB Telecoms.
John Regan, managing director of ESB Telecoms, delivered the opening remarks and welcomed an audience including representatives from the European Commission, the European Space Agency and technology specialists from across Irish and European industries.
ESB Telecoms key role in the Ireland QCI Project
ESB Telecoms is a critical partner in the Ireland QCI project, providing the fibre backbone. The quantum communications network is being built across ESB Telecoms dark fibre optic network parallel to the existing HEAnet backbone between Dublin, Waterford, and Cork. This initiative sees the European Commission working with 27 Member States and the European Space Agency to deploy a secure quantum communication infrastructure across the EU.
John Regan commented:
'"ESB Telecoms, in its pioneering role in the Ireland QCI consortium, is committed to shaping Ireland's quantum future. We take immense pride in providing the vital fibre optic backbone for the project. Quantum technology will ensure the security of our digital infrastructure well into the future. This conference is a testament to the dedication of Ireland QCI, the European Commission, the European Space Agency and our consortium partners in this crucial project."
The support of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications
John Regan welcomed Minister Ossian Smyth T. D., the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, with special responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, to the stage. The €10m project, co-funded by the European Commission and the Irish government's Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, is working to create an innovative quantum technology ecosystem, future-proofing Ireland's communications infrastructure against cyber-attacks.
The significance of the Ireland QCI project
The three-day event marked a significant milestone in advancing quantum technology in Ireland and Europe and served as a platform for sharing knowledge and expertise. It set the stage for the collaborative effort to establish a robust Quantum Key Distribution network, which promises to enhance the security of data transmission across the nation's critical communication infrastructures.
The involvement of key academic and industry partners, including Trinity College Dublin, UCC's Tyndall National Institute, UCD, Maynooth University and the University of Galway, and industry partners ESB Telecoms and HEAnet underscores the collective commitment to innovation and excellence in quantum technology.
ESB Telecom's involvement in the Ireland QCI project reinforces Ireland's position as a leader in integrating quantum and classical communication systems, working in concert with the broader EuroQCI initiative.