Estonia’s national quantum communication infrastructure project, EstQCI, began on January 1, 2023, with a 30-month duration. The project was funded under the European Commission’s Digital Europe Programme as part of the EuroQCI initiative’s first terrestrial implementation phase. Metrosert, Estonia’s national metrology and applied research institute, served as one of the project’s implementing partners.
According to the Kvant.ee platform, the EstQCI project aimed to build the necessary quantum communication infrastructure in Estonia, ensuring essential capabilities were in place for further developments in the field. The project also sought to build knowledge among Estonian enterprises and academic institutions to strengthen the competitiveness of Estonia’s cybersecurity industry.
Activities included evaluating quantum key distribution (QKD) devices suitable for the Estonian network, establishing cooperation frameworks with neighboring EU member states on cross-border quantum communication, and exploring regional satellite interconnection possibilities. EstQCI contributed to elaborating standardized approaches for the broader EuroQCI network.