Thales Takes an Active Role in OPENQKD, the European Research Project That Will Set up Quantum Communication Infrastructures in Several European Countries
Thales has been an active participant in quantum technology research for several years already. For instance, Thales research centers are working on subjects ranging from quantum sensors and quantum measurement instruments, to quantum communication as well as various building blocks of quantum computers
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191126005900/en/
Quantum communication infrastructure being developed in Europe (Photo: Thales)
It was therefore only natural that Thales join the AIT (Austrian Institute of Technology) consortium, chosen by the European Commission to conduct its OPENQKD project, the forerunner to a major European quantum communication infrastructure. Its primary objective is to drastically strengthen security for critical applications in telecommunications, finance, healthcare, electricity supply and public services. In a subsequent phase, it will support the networking of quantum computers, which heralds a new type of Internet. Budgeted at 15 million euros, this is the only project of its type in the world. The consortium led by AIT is composed of 38 companies and research organizations across the continent as partners.
OPENQKD aims to change the way we perceive, understand and use quantum communication. Its main goal is to create and test European components of communication networks that include quantum devices, to implement applications such as quantum cryptography (Quantum Key Distribution, QKD). The keys generated by QKD provide ultra-secure encryption to transmit data with a very high level of confidentiality.
Thales is making two main contributions to this project, one on land, the other in space. The former entails providing encryption equipment compatible with QKD for terrestrial networks, with the aim of creating a European center of expertise in this area. Secondly, Thales will define the space segment of a quantum communication network, because these types of networks will need satellites to provide coverage across entire countries or continents.
To learn more about the OPENQKD project, click here.
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global technology leader shaping the world of tomorrow today. The Group provides solutions, services and products to customers in the aeronautics, space, transport, digital identity and security, and defence markets. With 80,000 employees in 68 countries, Thales generated sales of €19 billion in 2018 (on a pro forma basis including Gemalto).
Thales is investing in particular in digital innovations — connectivity, Big Data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity — technologies that support businesses, organisations and governments in their decisive moments.
PLEASE VISIT
Thales Group
Market page
Download HD photos
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191126005900/en/
Contact information
PRESS CONTACT
Thales, Media Relations
Ground Transportation Systems
Chrystelle Dugimont
+33 (0)6 25 15 72 93
chrystelle.dugimont@thalesgroup.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
Tahoe Therapeutics Selects Parse Biosciences’ GigaLab to Generate 300 Million Single Cell Profiles for Large-Scale Perturbation Atlas11.12.2025 15:00:00 EET | Press release
Parse Biosciences, a leading provider of accessible and scalable single cell sequencing solutions, today announced that Tahoe Therapeutics has selected Parse’s GigaLab to generate data for its upcoming 300M cell project. Tahoe will use its proprietary Mosaic technology to generate samples consisting of 300M cells from large arrays of disease models, genetically or chemically perturbed. Under this agreement, Parse will apply its Evercode™ chemistry and high-throughput automation to these samples to deliver the largest perturbation-focused single cell dataset ever produced. Parse’s GigaLab, designed specifically for million- to hundred-million-cell projects, has rapidly become an industry benchmark for large-scale, reproducible single cell data generation. The facility integrates high-capacity liquid handling, standardized workflows, and end-to-end QC to enable dataset sizes previously unattainable for most research organizations. The Tahoe project represents one of the largest sequencin
Xsight Labs X2 Switch to Enable Next-Generation Starlink Satellites and Deliver Gigabit Connectivity11.12.2025 15:00:00 EET | Press release
Xsight Labs, an innovator in high-performance connectivity silicon, today announced that Starlink, the world’s most advanced satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit, delivering broadband, will leverage the Xsight X2 Programmable Ethernet switch to serve as the high-speed networking core for its next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. Each V3 Starlink satellite is designed to deliver more than 1 terabit per second (Tbps) of fronthaul throughput, more than 10× the capacity delivered by Starlink V2 Mini satellites, and about 160 gigabits per second (Gbps) of uplink capacity. Starlink’s global broadband service depends on processing and routing large volumes of real-time data, including inter-satellite optical link traffic, orbital mesh routing decisions, adaptive beam steering, and the high-throughput downlink required to serve its customers. The X2 delivers 12.8 Tbps of switching capacity using state-of-the-art 100G SerDes and TSMC’s N5 process, providing a power-efficient, ultra-low-
Payments Leaders Unprepared for 2026 Disruption, Warns ACI Worldwide11.12.2025 14:36:00 EET | Press release
Most global payments leaders lack a clear roadmap to navigate the seismic changes coming in 2026 , according to the latest Top Ten Payments Predictions from ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), an original innovator in global payments technology. With AI-driven intelligence, next-gen authentication, new regulatory frameworks, and soaring demand for instant, embedded, and secure payments, the industry is entering an era of structural disruption. However, ACI’s recent report Payments in Transition: Leadership in an era of transformation reveals that only 36% of payments executives have a clear long-term modernization roadmap, leaving many without a strategic vision for transformation. “In 2026, payments disruption won’t be incremental—it will be structural,” said Philip Bruno, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at ACI Worldwide. “Real-time is now the baseline, digital assets are entering regulated ecosystems, and AI is transforming every layer of the value chain. Our research is a clear warning:
AB InBev and International Cricket Council Announce Landmark Global Partnership11.12.2025 11:31:00 EET | Press release
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced AB InBev (Euronext: ABI) (NYSE: BUD) (MEXBOL: ANB) (JSE: ANH), the world’s leading brewer, will become the Official Beer Partner for all major ICC tournaments starting in 2026. The partnership will be led by Budweiser 0.0, Budweiser’s no-alcohol beer in India, with other ABI mega brands activating in Europe and Africa. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251211250826/en/ AB InBev and ICC announce global partnership From attending a match live in-stadium to watching one at a bar or pub with friends, with a lower alcohol-by-volume (ABV) and no-alcohol options like Budweiser 0.0, beer is the natural choice to enjoy responsibly. Through this partnership with the ICC, AB InBev will create more moments of cheers, choice and celebration for cricket fans of legal drinking age all over the world. ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta said: "Cricket is one of the world’s most loved sports w
Spark Reply and Concept Reply Promote CO₂-optimised Charging Together With BMW11.12.2025 11:30:00 EET | Press release
Spark Reply, specialists in design and user experience, and Concept Reply, IoT and AI technology experts within the Reply Group, have developed a smart app for the BMW group as part of a research project that actively encourages electric vehicle drivers to adopt low-carbon charging habits. The “COOL” feature within the BMW Prototyping App “360° Mobility” analyses the current electricity mix and shows users in real time when it is at its cleanest. Playful interactions and personalised AI-generated images further motivate drivers to make more sustainable choices. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251211155452/en/ In a post pilot survey, 73 per cent of participants stated that they were willing to make an extra effort to charge with reduced CO₂ emissions, such as by setting a charging window in their app. This proves that 'COOL' can measurably reduce the carbon footprint of everyday electric driving. Electric mobil
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