The UK has launched the Integrated Quantum Networks Hub (IQN Hub), a major new initiative to develop secure and scalable quantum networking technologies. Led by Heriot-Watt University and backed by over £42 million ($54.4 million USD) in funding from EPSRC and industry partners, the Hub aims to lay the groundwork for a national quantum internet. It brings together 13 universities, two national labs, and over 40 companies to address core challenges in quantum communication infrastructure, protocols, and standards.
The IQN Hub builds on the UK’s strengths in quantum networking, particularly in entanglement distribution and quantum key distribution (QKD), and will target use cases ranging from secure data transmission to distributed quantum computing. Early goals include developing quantum memory components, integrating quantum signals into existing fibre infrastructure, and enabling satellite-based quantum communication. These efforts align with the UK’s national quantum strategy goal to deploy the world’s most advanced quantum network infrastructure by 2035.
At the launch event in Edinburgh, stakeholders from DSIT, UKRI, GCHQ, the National Cyber Security Centre, and several national research centres participated in outlining strategic applications. Industry leaders such as BT emphasized the importance of extending quantum networking beyond QKD to fully quantum-connected systems.
The IQN Hub will also support workforce development and standards setting, crucial for scaling quantum communication technologies and ensuring compatibility across commercial and national platforms. This includes advancing quantum light sources, detectors, and switching technologies while shaping international standards for quantum security.
The Hub is one of five UKRI-backed quantum technology hubs and builds upon previous infrastructure including the UK Quantum Network. More information is available on the official IQN Hub website here and through the Heriot-Watt University press release here.
April 10, 2025
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