Pan-European research and education network operator GÉANT and the Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 8, 2026, to co-develop quantum networking infrastructure, standards, and interoperability protocols across Europe. Signed at GÉANT’s headquarters in Amsterdam by GÉANT CEO Lise Fuhr and QIA Director Stephanie Wehner, the agreement establishes a collaborative framework to transition laboratory-scale quantum communication prototypes into operational cross-border field trials.
The collaboration bridges GÉANT’s high-capacity optical network backbone—which connects 40 European National Research and Education Networks (NRENs)—with QIA’s 50-plus institution consortium led by TU Delft. QIA provides full-stack quantum networking expertise spanning physical quantum nodes, memory buffers, and entanglement distribution algorithms, while GÉANT brings multi-tenant network management, cross-border fiber routing, and federated identity infrastructure.
| [ GÉANT & Quantum Internet Alliance Strategic Partnership Framework ] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Focus Area | GÉANT & NREN Infrastructure Input | QIA Platform & Technology Role |
| Field Trials & Testbeds | • Cross-Border Dark Fiber & Optical Routes • SIG-Quantum Working Group Coordination | • Full-Stack Quantum Network Prototypes • Real-World Entanglement Link Validation |
| Architecture & Standards | • Network Telemetry & Operational Rules • Interoperability Requirements for NRENs | • QIA Technology Forum Technical Specs • Quantum Control & Software Layer Protocols |
| Ecosystem Deployment | • Integration with Pan-European Research Users | • Sovereign European Quantum Internet Roadmap |
Under the framework, GÉANT technical teams and NREN community bodies—such as Special Interest Group (SIG)-Quantum—will interface directly with the QIA Technology Forum. This structural alignment aims to eliminate network fragmentation, streamline hardware-software standards, and establish field testbeds for quantum key distribution (QKD) and blind quantum computing applications across European research institutions.
By connecting academic testbeds to live optical infrastructure, the partnership supports QIA’s mandate to construct a sovereign, European-manufactured Quantum Internet prototype, establishing the operational foundation required to link future European QPUs into distributed quantum computing networks.
Review the official press release via the Quantum Internet Alliance here.
September 12, 2026
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