Slovakia has taken a major step into Europe’s quantum future with the launch of its first quantum communication network, a national system designed to strengthen cybersecurity and integrate the country into broader European quantum initiatives.
The deployment, led by IonQ’s subsidiary ID Quantique (IDQ) in partnership with the Institute of Physics at the Slovak Academy of Sciences (IPSAS), marks a historic moment for Slovakia’s digital infrastructure.
A strategic leap toward Europe’s quantum vision
The new Slovak Quantum Communication Infrastructure (skQCI) is designed to plug directly into Europe’s wider EuroQCI programme, an EU initiative building a continent-wide secure communication backbone.
By adopting quantum-safe and quantum-resistant technologies at scale, Slovakia aims to protect its highest-value public institutions while contributing to Europe’s long-term digital resilience.
The project highlights Slovakia’s growing participation in advanced quantum research and its 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 in fortifying the digital sovereignty of the EU.
“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 communication 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 combining Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC). This setup will secure communications between four strategic locations, linking both metropolitan hubs and remote facilities.
In Bratislava, the quantum communication network will provide encrypted links between some of the country’s most sensitive institutions, including the Presidential Palace, the National Security Authority, and the Slovak Academy of Sciences’ Quantum Pavilion.
The hybrid QKD–PQC model enables high-assurance key exchange within cities while supporting wider cross-country secure connections – an approach designed to scale with Slovakia’s future quantum needs.
Scientific leadership at the core
IPSAS, Slovakia’s leading scientific institution, is steering the deployment with support from the Slovak National Center for Quantum Technologies (QUTE.sk).
The collaboration underscores the country’s commitment to developing home-grown expertise in quantum science and cybersecurity.
Researchers involved in the project emphasise that the network not only strengthens national security but also demonstrates how quantum technologies can be integrated into real operational environments, providing a blueprint for other nations preparing for the post-quantum era.
IonQ expands its European quantum footprint
The Slovak launch arrives during a period of rapid expansion for IonQ across Europe and Asia. Recent milestones include:
- Deployment of the Geneva Quantum Network in Switzerland
- Formation of Italy’s Q-Alliance to build a national quantum hub
- Establishment of Oxford as IonQ’s EMEA headquarters
- Selection as the primary quantum partner for Korea’s National Quantum Center of Excellence
IonQ’s momentum is backed by significant breakthroughs in quantum computing performance. Its latest-generation systems, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, have delivered record-setting results, including 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity in 2025.
The company aims to reach 2 million qubits by 2030, advancing applications from drug discovery to defence.
Positioning Slovakia for the quantum future
By activating its first national quantum communication network, Slovakia has placed itself among Europe’s emerging leaders in quantum security.
The deployment not only fortifies national infrastructure but also positions the country as a key contributor to Europe’s quantum-enabled future – one where secure communication, advanced research, and international cooperation are interconnected through next-generation technologies.
