Insider Brief:
- Madrid has invested €16 million (approximately $17 million) in quantum communications and cybersecurity research, expanding its role in secure quantum technologies as part of the UNESCO-designated International Year of Quantum Science and Technologies.
- MadQuantum-CM will expand MadQCI, Europe’s largest quantum communications network, with a multi-institutional consortium led by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and funded by the EU, the Community of Madrid, and Spain’s PRTR plan.
- IMDEA Networks and 5TONIC are leading research on integrating quantum key distribution with conventional networks, using Telefónica’s fibre infrastructure and testing solutions with a digital twin and multi-domain testbed.
PRESS RELEASE — According to a recent release from IMDEA Networks, the Regional Government of Madrid has announced a €16 million (approximately $17 million) investment in quantum communications and cybersecurity research, aligning with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technologies declared by UNESCO. This initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Madrid’s position in secure quantum communications and expand the region’s existing infrastructure.
MadQuantum-CM and the Expansion of MadQCI
A key project under this initiative is MadQuantum-CM, which intends to expand on MadQCI, the largest quantum communications network in Europe. This effort will increase Madrid’s role in the development of quantum-secure communication technologies.
MadQuantum-CM is a multi-institutional consortium led by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and includes organizations such as the National Institute for Aerospace Technology, the Spanish Metrology Centre, Fundación Vithas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and Universidad Complutense de Madrid. The project is co-funded by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU funds, the Community of Madrid, and Spain’s Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PRTR), bringing the total investment in quantum communications research in Madrid to €73 million (approximately $78 million).
Research and Development in Quantum Communication Protocols
At IMDEA Networks, researchers are leading efforts to develop next-generation quantum communication protocols that ensure compatibility with existing telecommunications infrastructure. Albert Banchs, IMDEA Networks’ principal researcher on the project, explained, “Our work is focused on creating solutions that extend the reach and functionality of quantum networks, ensuring their integration with current communications infrastructures.”
A significant focus of the project is quantum key distribution. QKD is being tested over Telefónica’s fibre optic infrastructure, a critical step toward integrating quantum encryption into conventional communication networks.
Testing and Validation at 5TONIC
Madrid’s 5TONIC laboratory, co-founded by Telefónica and IMDEA Networks, will play a notable role in validating these technologies. Working alongside the Universidad Carlos III of Madrid (UC3M), 5TONIC is testing secure end-to-end key distribution solutions that combine QKD with post-quantum cryptography.
The project has developed a digital twin for QKD networks, a simulation environment that allows researchers to evaluate quantum network performance before real-world deployment. These solutions will be experimentally validated on a hybrid PQC/QKD multi-domain testbed hosted at 5TONIC. Carlos J. Bernardos, vice-president of 5TONIC and professor at UC3M, stated, “Our facilities allow us to evaluate quantum communications protocols and equipment in real operating conditions, a crucial step for its future commercial implementation.”
Spotlight on Central Goals and Industry Collaboration
The MadQuantum-CM project prioritizes several objectives:
- Developing more secure and efficient quantum communication protocols.
- Integrating QKD technologies with conventional networks to improve scalability.
- Training specialized researchers to support Spain’s quantum industry.
- Creating use cases in sectors such as healthcare, energy, and public services.
Additionally, a significant component of this effort is the collaboration between academia and industry, particularly through 5TONIC’s role in 5G and 6G research. Bernardos emphasized the importance of these partnerships, stating, “The synergy between the different ecosystem players, from operators such as Telefónica to research centres such as UC3M and IMDEA Networks, is fundamental to the success of the project.”
Madrid as a Quantum Communications Hub
Quantum communications research has become a strategic priority for both Spain and the European Union, particularly in securing data transmission against potential quantum threats. The collaboration between 5TONIC, Telefónica, and IMDEA Networks under MadQuantum-CM demonstrates an industry-led approach to developing quantum-secure communication technologies.
