Thales Takes an Active Role in OPENQKD, the European Research Project That Will Set up Quantum Communication Infrastructures in Several European Countries
27.11.2019 02:18:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
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
Andersen Consulting Expands Capabilities with Addition of SHMA4.2.2026 16:30:00 EET | Press release
Andersen Consulting enters into a Collaboration Agreement with SHMA, a leading actuarial and financial advisory firm headquartered in the UAE. SHMA is an actuarial consulting firm with nearly four decades of experience helping organizations navigate complexity, manage risk, and unlock opportunities through actuarial and insurance advisory, risk management, and valuation of End-of-Service Benefits (EOSB). Working with insurance companies, pension schemes, and other private and public organizations, SHMA helps clients build resilient organizations. “At SHMA, we keep quality, customized solutions, and genuine connection with people at the center of our mission,” said Shariq Sikander, director of SHMA. “Collaborating with Andersen Consulting provides us with the opportunity to extend our impact globally and expand our actuarial services beyond the MENA region, bringing innovative, client-focused solutions to organizations seeking practical and transformative approaches to their business ch
Energy Vault announces the Award of 100 MW / 870 MWh Long-Term Energy Service Agreement to its Development Partner in Australia4.2.2026 16:09:00 EET | Press release
Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NRGV) (“Energy Vault”), a leader in sustainable, grid-scale energy storage solutions, and Bridge Energy Pty Ltd (“Bridge Energy”), an Australian developer bridging the gap between fossil fuels and renewable energy, today announced the Ebor Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has been awarded a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) by AusEnergy Services. Located in Ebor, within the New England Region of New South Wales (NSW), the 100 MW / 870 MWh project will provide 8 hours of dispatchable capacity. The facility will play a critical role in advancing NSW’s renewable energy targets by providing essential grid firming capacity as aging coal generators retire. The system will charge during periods of excess renewable generation and discharge during peak demand, directly supporting the state’s transition to a decarbonized grid. Subject to obtaining the necessary contractual and regulatory approvals, Energy Vault plans to exercise its option to acqui
Boomi’s Market Momentum Accelerates as Enterprises Standardize on Its AI Activation Platform4.2.2026 16:00:00 EET | Press release
Boomi™, the leader in AI-driven automation, today announced that the company’s momentum in enterprise integration and agentic AI has reached a defining moment, driven by unmatched scale, independent analyst validation, proven customer outcomes, and ecosystem growth. With more than 30,000 customers worldwide — including over a quarter of the Fortune 500 — Boomi’s continued growth reflects the trust the world’s largest enterprises place in its platform.Today, customers rely on Boomi’s unique runtime architecture for mission-critical operations — including over 75,000 AI agents in production — executing billions of dollars in transactions with enterprise-grade reliability and resilience. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260204745523/en/ Boomi’s Market Momentum Accelerates as Enterprises Standardize on Its AI Activation Platform “Boomi is experiencing the strongest momentum in its history,” said Steve Lucas, Chairm
Ground Investigation for Civil Infrastructure Gets More Robust With Integration of Lab and Field Geotechnical Data4.2.2026 16:00:00 EET | Press release
Seequent, The Bentley Subsurface Company, has streamlined laboratory testing in OpenGround, the leading cloud-connected geotechnical data management solution. The new OpenGround Labs capability enables seamless transfer of soil and rock sample data from field collection to laboratory testing and reporting, with results delivered directly to engineers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260204539856/en/ Geotechnical labs can generate Atterberg limits test certificates from raw lab test data in OpenGround. The advancement enables an end-to-end digital engineering-to-lab workflow, enhancing collaboration and improving efficiency between ground investigation and laboratory testing teams. “Trusted Lab testing data is vital for developing our understanding of ground conditions and for the creation of robust geotechnical reports on major infrastructure projects,” said Carl Grice, Seequent’s Director of Geotechnical Info
Torq Lands Virgin Atlantic CISO John White to Lead Enterprise Shift to Agentic AI4.2.2026 16:00:00 EET | Press release
Torq, the established agentic security operations leader, today announced former Virgin Atlantic CISO John White has joined Torq as Field CISO. Following Torq’s $140M Series D, White shifts from the customer side to the Torq leadership team, propelling global enterprise CISOs to modernize their strategies and adopt true Agentic AI. White is a highly respected security executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience. Prior to Virgin Atlantic, he built and transformed security functions for global organizations including ASOS, Liberty Global, AEG Europe, and KPMG, spanning retail, telecommunications, energy, and live entertainment. At Virgin Atlantic, White did not just oversee security, he reinvented it. Leading a multi-year transformation across airline, cargo, and vacation businesses, White deployed the Torq AI SOC Platform to modernize its cyber operations. The result was a dramatic increase in protection and efficiency that convinced him the industry had reached a pivotal
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