Active Collaboration · 2022 onwards
London Quantum-Secured Metro Network
A commercial trial of a quantum-secured fibre network in London, run by BT with quantum key distribution equipment from Toshiba.
Role: Lead
Themes: Communications, Networks
BT Group
Company · London
BT's quantum work is about securing and eventually linking networks, using quantum key distribution (QKD) on its own fibre. With Toshiba supplying the QKD hardware, it began commercial trials of quantum-secured fibre links across London in April 2022, building on work at its Adastral Park labs in Suffolk, with EY as the first customer; Equinix's Slough and Canary Wharf sites joined in September 2024. BT led the Innovate UK-funded AIRQKD and QAssure consortia, the latter worth £2 million and running to March 2026, and is a partner in the Integrated Quantum Networks hub.
BT Group, based in London, is a company whose work covers quantum communications, networking and qkd; it was founded in 1846. It leads 3 UK projects (London Quantum-Secured Metro Network, QAssure and AIRQKD) and is a partner in 13 more.
Sources: BT and Toshiba launch first commercial trial of quantum secured communication services (BT, April 2022) · Access to quantum-secure communications made easier for businesses (BT, September 2024) · QAssure (UKRI Gateway to Research) · Integrated Quantum Networks hub (UKRI Gateway to Research)
Projects (16)
Leads (3)
- Completed Consortium · 2024 to 2026
QAssure
A BT-led consortium developing ways to assure the security and reliability of quantum key distribution systems.
Role: Lead
Themes: Communications, Networks
- Completed Consortium · 2020 to 2023
AIRQKD
A BT-led consortium testing free-space quantum key distribution for short and mid-range links, including 5G and connected vehicles.
Role: Lead
Themes: Communications, Networks
Partner in (13)
- Active Programme · 2024 to 2028
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Information Science and Technologies
A doctoral training centre run by the universities of Sussex and Bristol to train PhD researchers in quantum technology.
Role: Partner
Funding: £24m
Themes: Skills and training, Computing
- Active Hub · 2024 to 2029
Hub for Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations
QCi3
The national research hub for quantum computing, led by the University of Oxford. It works on scalable and networked quantum computers.
Role: Partner
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Computing, Networks, Software and algorithms
- Active Hub · 2024 to 2029
Integrated Quantum Networks Quantum Technology Research Hub
IQN
A national research hub building quantum networks, from local links to satellite connections. Heriot-Watt University leads it.
Role: Partner
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Networks, Communications
- Active Hub · 2024 to 2029
UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensing, Imaging and Timing
QuSIT
A national research hub for quantum sensing, imaging and timing, led by the University of Birmingham.
Role: Partner
Funding: £22m
Themes: Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation
- Completed Programme · 2025 to 2026
Contracts for Innovation: Quantum Sensors and PNT Missions Primer
Quantum Sensing Mission Primer
Innovate UK contracts for 14 projects building quantum sensors and position, navigation and timing products, run as phase 1 of the sensing missions.
Role: Partner
Funding: £14m
Themes: Sensing, Timing and navigation, Imaging
- Completed Programme · 2025 to 2026
Quantum Missions pilot: Quantum Computing and Quantum Networks
Quantum Missions pilot
An Innovate UK competition that funded industry projects in quantum computing and quantum networks towards the UK quantum missions.
Role: Partner
Themes: Computing, Networks
- Completed Consortium · 2022 to 2025
The Quantum Data Centre of the Future
An ORCA-led consortium that designed and demonstrated how a quantum computer could sit inside a data centre alongside classical systems.
Role: Partner
Themes: Computing, Communications, Networks
- Completed Consortium · 2020 to 2024
Next Generation Satellite QKD: Creating a UK Sovereign Capability for Manufacturing Satellite QKD Payloads
An Arqit-led consortium working on UK manufacture of quantum key distribution payloads for satellites.
Role: Partner
Themes: Communications, Networks
- Completed Hub · 2019 to 2024
EPSRC Quantum Communications Hub
The phase 2 national hub for quantum communications, led by the University of York. The hub's work ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £23.5m
Themes: Communications, Networks
- Completed Programme · 2019 to 2025
National Timing Centre R&D programme
NTC
An NPL-led programme to build a network of atomic clocks so that the UK relies less on satellite timing signals.
Role: Partner
Funding: £36m
Themes: Timing and navigation
- Completed Hub · 2019 to 2024
UK Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Computing and Simulation
QCS
The phase 2 national hub for quantum computing and simulation, led by the University of Oxford. It ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £27.3m
Themes: Computing, Software and algorithms
- Completed Hub · 2019 to 2024
UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Timing
The phase 2 national hub for quantum sensors and clocks, led by the University of Birmingham. It ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £28.6m
Themes: Sensing, Timing and navigation
- Completed Consortium · 2018 to 2021
Agile Quantum Safe Communications
AQuaSeC
A Toshiba-led consortium that built prototype quantum-safe communication systems. It combined quantum key distribution with quantum-resistant algorithms.
Role: Partner
Themes: Communications, Networks
In the news
Recent articles from Quantum Zeitgeist that mention BT Group.
UK Quantum Computing Companies 2026, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
UK quantum computing companies: Quantinuum’s Nasdaq listing, OQC’s 260 million pound round, Oxford Ionics under IonQ, Riverlane, Quantum Motion and the rest of the British stack.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Quantum Computing Companies In 2026, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
A 2026 directory of 170 quantum computing companies across hardware, software, security, sensing, components and investment, with funding, leadership and technology for each. It spans superconducting, trapped-ion, neutral-atom, photonic and silicon-spin approaches, plus notable market exits.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
GENIUS Project: AI in Software Development, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
A large European collaboration, the GENIUS project, investigates how to reliably and securely integrate generative AI throughout the entire software development process, anticipating necessary skill shifts and developing practical tools to realise this transformation over the next five years.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
10 Innovative Quantum Companies to Watch in 2024, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
In 2024, the quantum computing landscape is set for transformative breakthroughs, with companies pushing the boundaries of quantum mechanics. This feature highlights 10 quantum companies, examining their advancements, visionary leadership, and potential global impact.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Partnerships (7)
Research, commercial and investment relationships, by year. Partners with a profile here are linked.
-
Arqit Commercial 2023
-
ID Quantique Commercial 2023
-
ADVA Optical Commercial 2022
-
KETS Quantum Security Research 2022
Recorded on KETS Quantum Security's profile.
-
Toshiba Quantum Commercial 2022
-
National Physical Laboratory Research 2021
-
Quantum Communications Hub Research 2020
Recorded on Quantum Communications Hub's profile.
Similar organisations
Chosen by shared specialisms, then location and type.
Colt Technology Services
Company · London · 4 shared specialisms
Craft Prospect
Company · Glasgow · 4 shared specialisms
BAE Systems Quantum
Company · London · 3 shared specialisms
Lumino Technologies
Start-up · London · 3 shared specialisms
Company data from Entangled Future. News from Quantum Zeitgeist. Last checked 2 October 2026.
Logos and names are trademarks of their respective owners, used to identify them. No endorsement implied.