Business Wire

SES-led Consortium to Define Luxembourg’s Quantum Communication Infrastructure for Europe

Share

The Luxembourg’s Quantum Communications Infrastructure project (LuxQCI), coordinated by the Department of Media, Telecommunications and Digital Policy (SMC) of the Luxembourg Ministry of State, and supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) under the Luxembourg National LuxIMPULSE programme, will create a secure communications shield against cyber threats based on quantum technology. To design the LuxQCI, Luxembourg has put in place a consortium comprising InCert, itrust consulting, LuxConnect, LuxTrust and the University of Luxembourg (SnT), that is led by SES’s fully-owned affiliate SES Techcom.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210712005866/en/

To view this piece of content from mms.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

SES-led Consortium to Define Luxembourg’s Quantum Communication Infrastructure for Europe (Photo: Business Wire)

One of the LuxQCI’s main functions will be to ensure quantum key distribution (QKD), an ultra-secure form of encryption that uses the principles of quantum mechanics. Enabled via satellites, QKD can secure confidential data, power grids, government communications and digital transactions, including against attacks by quantum computers. Once operational, LuxQCI will guarantee the security of digital transactions and of confidential information transfer over geographically dispersed areas. Early users of the infrastructure will be governmental and institutional authorities and business sectors requiring ultra-secure data transmission. QCI will ultimately evolve into a Quantum Internet, linking quantum processors and sensors and enabling an EU-wide distributed quantum computing and communication capability.

The LuxQCI is an integral part of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), an initiative from the European Commission that was officially launched in June 2019, which represents a federation of all the national infrastructures of the 27 EU Member States. Luxembourg was among the first seven Member States that signed this declaration.

As the ultra-secure form of encryption is only possible via a combination of terrestrial and space networks, the cornerstone element for the next-generation cybersecurity LuxQCI will be developed by a consortium of renowned Luxembourg-based entities that combines the relevant expertise of the private sector, research and development community and public agencies. Luxembourg’s first national Quantum Communication Infrastructure will support the country’s ambitions within the EuroQCI strategy, resulting in a roadmap for its implementation.

The LuxQCI project will include among other key objectives the design of the country’s national QCI, integrating both terrestrial and space-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) into an innovative hybrid Key Management System (hKMS). It will also plan for the integration of Luxembourg’s national QCI with other European QCI initiatives.

Luxembourg’s national QCI will leverage SES’s extensive expertise in developing relevant technologies, such as QUARTZ. Under this ESA-funded initiative, SES and a consortium of partners have since 2018 been developing an engineering model for the QKD system that allows the generation of encryption keys from space, as well as their secure transmission to users on Earth via laser.

Xavier Bettel, the Luxembourg Minister for Communications and Media said: “The Recovery plan for Europe, which includes the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), aims at repairing the immediate economic and social damage brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Post-COVID-19 Europe will be greener, more digital, more resilient and better adapted to the current and forthcoming challenges. This pandemic has also clearly shown us the importance of digital technologies in our daily lives. One of the main projects in our Recovery and Resilience Plan is the QCI or Quantum Communication Infrastructure where SES, our European champion in satellite communications, collaborates with the research community and the local ecosystem in order to develop a next-generation, ultra-secure communication infrastructure.”

Pierre Gramegna, Luxembourg’s Minister of Finance commented: “I am pleased to see that the efforts invested into devising Luxembourg's Recovery and Resilience Plan are yielding results swiftly. The LuxQCI project illustrates how EU funds can be effectively used to contribute to a resilient and future-oriented recovery, and is line with the Government’s budget strategy to maintain high levels of public investment. LuxQCI has the potential to increase the economic attractiveness of Luxembourg by further strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure, and presents promising opportunities for the financial sector.”

Marc Serres, CEO of the Luxembourg Space Agency, said: “ESA and a consortium led by SES are already developing the QUARTZ system for generating cryptographic keys in space and their secure transmission to earth. LuxQCI will integrate this technology, being the next major milestone in building the quantum communications infrastructure. This underscores the complementary roles of space and terrestrial technologies in ensuring globally available and reliable systems of the future. It sets the path to an integrated European infrastructure, and Luxembourg takes a clear lead in this groundbreaking development.”

Steve Collar, CEO of SES, said: “Satellite-enabled cybersecurity is a technology of the future that is being developed now, and is an integral element of reliable quantum communications infrastructures. We could not be more delighted to be driving the development of Luxembourg’s national QCI project with these local partners. The safe and intrusion-resistant data exchange mechanisms developed here will serve as a flagship project that can be replicated on a wider European scale. Luxembourg has the right expertise to deliver on this, as a world-renowned space and financial centre.”

Follow us on:

TwitterFacebookYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

Read our Blogs >
Visit the Media Gallery >

About SMC

The Department of Media, Telecommunications and Digital Policy is part of the Ministry of State of Luxembourg. It supports the development of a diverse media landscape, state-of-the-art data connectivity and forward-thinking policies in Luxembourg that put people first.

About LSA

Established in 2018 with the goal of developing the national space sector, the Luxembourg Space Agency fosters new and existing companies, develops human resources, facilitates access to funding and provides support for academic research. The agency implements the national space economic development strategy, manages national space research and development programs, and leads the SpaceResources.lu initiative. The LSA also represents Luxembourg within the European Space Agency, as well as the space related programs of the European Union and the United Nations.

About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world’s only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world’s leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES’s video network carries almost 8,200 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 361 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com.

About SES Techcom

SES Techcom is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES that develops and delivers innovative and tailored end-to-end satellite-enabled solutions and services to governmental, institutional and supranational partners and customers. Leveraging its expertise in managing complex system integration projects, the company is a long-standing partner for institutional customers such as the European Commission and ESA on quantum communication infrastructure, navigation, defence & security, humanitarian and disaster response initiatives. Further information is available at: www.ses-techcom.com

About EuroQCI

Since June 2019, 26 EU Member States have signed the EuroQCI Declaration, agreeing to work together, with the Commission and with the support of the European Space Agency, towards the development of a quantum communication infrastructure covering the whole EU (EuroQCI). It will consist of an earth-based segment that will use existing fibre communication networks linking strategic sites, and a space-based segment ensuring full coverage across the EU and other continents.

The EuroQCI will integrate quantum technologies and systems into conventional communication infrastructures. This will make it possible to secure Europe’s encryption systems and critical infrastructures against cyber threats, store and exchange sensitive information safely, and preserve government data against current and future threats.

The first service to make use of it will be quantum key distribution (QKD), an encryption technique that uses quantum phenomena and is not subject to the same vulnerabilities as many other forms of encryption based on mathematical functions. QKD can therefore be used to enable the long-term security of data and communication messages.

Work is currently ongoing to design the EuroQCI, taking into account the technologies available and in development, and the requirements of the participating Member States. The long-term plan is for the EuroQCI to become the basis of a quantum internet in Europe, connecting quantum computers, simulators and sensors via quantum networks to distribute information and resources securely.

Funding for the EuroQCI for the period 2021-27 is expected to be provided by the EU’s Digital Europe programme and Connecting Europe Facility.

[Source: European Commission]

The Luxembourg’s Quantum Communications Infrastructure project (LuxQCI) is coordinated by the Department of Media, Telecommunications and Digital Policy (SMC) of the Luxembourg Ministry of State, and supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) under the Luxembourg National LuxIMPULSE programme.

To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

Contact information

Suzanne Ong
External Communications
Tel. +352 710 725 500
suzanne.ong@ses.com

About Business Wire

For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.

Subscribe to releases from Business Wire

Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Latest releases from Business Wire

Blue Yonder Announces Binding Agreement To Acquire One Network Enterprises for Approximately $839 Million To Create Multi-Enterprise Supply Chain Ecosystem29.3.2024 15:13:00 EET | Press release

Blue Yonder, a leader in digital supply chain transformations, continues its forward momentum to revolutionize the supply chain and has today announced the signing of an agreement to acquire One Network Enterprises (One Network) for approximately $839 million, subject to adjustments. One Network, provider of the Digital Supply Chain Network™, is known for its autonomous and resilience services and is a leading global provider of intelligent control towers. Upon completion, Blue Yonder will be well positioned to serve customers’ needs across planning, execution, commerce, and networks. “Supply chains have become more complex, and as more and more companies reduce risk by diversifying sourcing of products globally, there is an increased demand for the sharing of information and resources across the whole value chain. This, along with increased disruptions and geopolitical risks, have put the pressure on organizations to build more resilient and robust supply chains,” said Duncan Angove,

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC Shareholders Approve Payment of AED 3.1 Billion in Dividends29.3.2024 15:12:00 EET | Press release

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC (ISIN: AED001801011) (Symbol: DEWA), the Emirate of Dubai’s exclusive electricity and water services provider and majority owner of the largest cooling services provider, which is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), reported that its shareholders have, in the general assembly held on March 28th, 2024, approved the payment of total dividend of AED 3.1 billion with a record date of April 8th, 2024. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240329162756/en/ Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC shareholders approve payment of AED 3.1 billion in dividends (Photo: AETOSWire) General Assembly Details The meeting, chaired by HE Matar Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DEWA, was attended by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA and Members of the Board of Directors of DEWA as well as 85.9% of the shareholders. The assembly was held on Thursday (2

PAN Finance Names Libertex ‘Global CFD Broker of the Year’29.3.2024 08:25:00 EET | Press release

As the first quarter of 2024 draws to a close, Libertex is thrilled to announce its first accolade of the new year! The established global financial publication PAN Finance has determined Libertex to be the ‘CFD Broker of the Year – Global 2024’ following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by the publication's highly experienced editorial and research teams. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328235325/en/ (Graphic: Libertex) PAN Finance is a trusted source of global financial intelligence with an impressively wide readership across 150 countries. Its ecosystem includes a quarterly magazine, special reports, a news website, and various social media channels. As an organisation, PAN Finance is committed to providing concise, intelligent, and up-to-date news for a worldwide readership of specialists spanning the entire finance industry. The company's awards programme aims to serve as a true indicator of exc

Midea Group releases its first-ever ESG brand story with an unexpected VIP visit highlighting its commitment to sustainability.29.3.2024 04:39:00 EET | Press release

Midea Group: This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328526418/en/ Background: Midea Group, a leading global technology group, recently released its 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report with ambitious sustainable development goals set for 2030. They include achieving over 500 megawatts of photovoltaic power generation, reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity (scopes 1 and 2) by 0.040, secure Energy Management System Certification for 50 factories, and achieve 100% carbon footprint accounting for major categories of smart home appliances. This is aligned with the Sustainable Development Report Standards of the Global Report Standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The new report and campaign focuses on four dimensions: Protect the Blue Planet, Build a Harmonious Community, Practice 'Bring Great Innovations to Life', and Jointly Create the Prosperous Ecology. The campaign: Midea’s ESG

DC Secretary Announces Annual Determinations Committees Outcome28.3.2024 23:14:00 EET | Press release

DC Administration Services, Inc. has today announced the composition of five regional Determinations Committees (DCs), effective from April 27, 2024. Voting Dealers (for all regions): Voting Non-Dealers (for all regions): Bank of America N.A. Citadel LLC Barclays Bank plc Elliott Management Corporation BNP Paribas Pacific Investment Management Company LLC Citibank, N.A. Deutsche Bank AG Goldman Sachs International JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Voting Dealer for the Americas, EMEA, AEJ, and Japan Determination Committees: Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. The process for selecting DC members is specified in the DC rules. The DC rules, along with more information about the Determinations Committees and what they do can be found at the Determinations Committees website: https://www.cdsdeterminationscommittees.org/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328441002/en/ Contact information Press Inquiries: Orlando Figueroa orlando.figueroa@citadelspv.com

In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.

Visit our pressroom
HiddenA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.Eye