Slovakia has taken a major step towards Europe’s quantum future with the launch of the first quantum communications network. This is a national system aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and integrating the country into broader European quantum efforts.
The implementation, led by ID Quantique (IDQ), a subsidiary of IonQ, in partnership with the Institute of Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (IPSAS), marks a historic moment for Slovakia’s digital infrastructure.
A strategic leap towards Europe’s quantum vision
The new Slovak Quantum Communications Infrastructure (skQCI) is designed to connect directly to Europe’s wider EuroQCI programme, the EU’s initiative to build a secure communications backbone across the continent.
By deploying quantum-safe and quantum-proof technologies at scale, Slovakia aims to protect its most valuable public institutions while contributing to Europe’s long-term digital resilience.
The project highlights Slovakia’s increasing participation in advanced quantum research and the country’s intention to play a central role in the continent’s secure digital transformation.
Niccolo De Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ, explained: “The skQCI project is a strategic milestone to strengthen the EU’s digital sovereignty.
“By combining IonQ’s quantum-safe networking capabilities with the scientific leadership of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, we are building a secure, resilient, and state-of-the-art quantum communications network that can serve as a model for Europe.”
Hybrid architecture strengthens national cybersecurity
At the heart of Slovakia’s new system is a resilient hybrid architecture that combines quantum key distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC). This setup ensures communication between four strategic locations linking both metropolitan hubs and remote facilities.
In Bratislava, a quantum communications network will provide an encrypted link between some of the country’s most sensitive institutions, including the Presidential Palace, the National Security Agency and the Slovak Academy of Sciences’ quantum pavilion.
The hybrid QKD–PQC model enables high-assurance key exchange within a city while supporting secure connectivity across a wider range of countries. This is an approach designed to scale with Slovakia’s future quantum needs.
With scientific leadership at the core
IPSAS, Slovakia’s main scientific institution, is leading the implementation with support from the Slovak National Center for Quantum Technology (QUTE.sk).
This cooperation highlights the country’s commitment to developing national expertise in quantum science and cybersecurity.
Researchers working on the project emphasize that this network will not only strengthen national security, but also demonstrate how quantum technology can be integrated into real-world operational environments, providing a blueprint for other countries to prepare for the post-quantum era.
IonQ expands European quantum footprint
The launch in Slovakia comes at a time when IonQ is rapidly expanding across Europe and Asia. Recent milestones include:
Deployment of the Geneva Quantum Network in Switzerland Formation of Italy’s Q-Alliance to create a national quantum hub Establishment of Oxford as IonQ’s EMEA headquarters Selection of South Korea’s National Quantum Center of Excellence as lead quantum partner
IonQ’s momentum is supported by significant advances in quantum computing performance. Its latest generation systems, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, have delivered record results, including achieving 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity in 2025.
The company aims to reach 2 million qubits by 2030, with applications ranging from drug discovery to defense.
Positioning Slovakia for a quantum future
Slovakia has joined Europe’s new leaders in quantum security by activating the first national quantum communications network.
This development will not only strengthen national infrastructure but also position the country as a key contributor to Europe’s quantum-enabled future, one in which secure communications, advanced research and international cooperation are interconnected through next-generation technologies.
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