Deutsche Telekom and the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology have been awarded two new Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs) by the European Commission to lead the development, standardization, and long-term scaling of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI). Under these complementary initiatives, Deutsche Telekom will coordinate the PETRUS2 project, while AIT will lead the HarmoniQCI project. Together, the twin programs are designed to transition advanced quantum cryptographic technologies from localized testbeds into a resilient, cross-border European framework.
PETRUS2, led by Deutsche Telekom in collaboration with Thales, AIT, Airbus, and SES, will focus on the strategic evolution of pan-European quantum communication infrastructures. The project builds on the achievements of the initial PETRUS program to coordinate national and European activities, preparing the region for large-scale deployments. These include cross-border Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks funded under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and satellite-based ecosystem projects under the IRIS² Programme.
In parallel, AIT will coordinate HarmoniQCI to address critical challenges regarding the standardization and interoperability of quantum communication infrastructures across Europe. Establishing common technical standards is crucial to building a solid domestic industrial base and preparing cohesive technical frameworks for future network components and security certifications. By aligning diverse stakeholders and technologies, AIT aims to enable a coherent, secure, and trusted EuroQCI ecosystem.
The two projects will maintain structured collaboration mechanisms, including joint workshops and aligned contributions to European security roadmaps. This initiative builds on the partners’ established history in European Commission-supported programs, such as the NOSTRADAMUS project. This framework combines AIT’s scientific expertise in quantum optics and physical QKD mechanics with Deutsche Telekom’s operational leadership and large-scale network integration capabilities.
Review the official corporate programmatic announcements on the Deutsche Telekom Media Hub here, or access further historical context on the initial EuroQCI network build here.
July 14, 2026
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