The Portuguese Quantum Communication Infrastructure (PTQCI) project officially started on January 1, 2023, as Portugal’s national contribution to the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative. Funded under the European Commission’s Digital Europe Programme call DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01, the 30-month project carries a budget of approximately €6.8 million.
According to the PTQCI project website, the initiative deploys QKD-based secure communication networks between public authorities in the Lisbon metropolitan area and establishes a testbed network involving academic and private stakeholders. Deimos Engenharia coordinates the consortium, with the Gabinete Nacional de Segurança (National Security Office) serving as the National Connectivity Competent Authority. Other partners include IP Telecom, Altice Labs, Instituto de Telecomunicações, Adyta, Instituto Superior Técnico, FCT, Warpcom, Omnidea, and ISEL.
PTQCI builds on prior Portuguese defense-funded quantum work under the DISCRETION and QSCRIPT projects. Its design includes interoperability with Spain’s EuroQCI counterpart at the Iberian scale and plans for expansion to mainland and island locations, including assessment of ground-to-space segment infrastructure. Representatives attended the EuroQCI Digital projects kick-off meeting at the EU Commission in Brussels on January 24, 2023.