BT Group
Company · London
BT runs London's quantum-secured metro network trial with Toshiba and led the AIRQKD and QAssure QKD projects from its Adastral Park research campus.
Completed Consortium
AIRQKD
A BT-led consortium testing free-space quantum key distribution for short and mid-range links, including 5G and connected vehicles.
Project data last updated 11 October 2026
About this project
AIRQKD ran from July 2020 to September 2023. It aimed to build a UK supply chain from single-photon components up to networked quantum systems for free-space links.
The consortium ran pilot demonstrations of quantum-secured infrastructure for 5G networks and for autonomous and connected vehicles.
Lead organisation
Partners (12)
Angoka
Start-up · Belfast
Arqit
Company · London
Bay Photonics
Company · Paignton
Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult
Research organisation · Newport
Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics
Research organisation · Glasgow
Heriot-Watt University
University · Edinburgh
NPL
Research organisation · Teddington
Nu Quantum
Company · Cambridge
University of Bristol
University · Bristol
University of Edinburgh
University · Edinburgh
University of Strathclyde
University · Glasgow
University of Warwick
University · Coventry
Funders
Innovate UK
Funder · Swindon
UK Research and Innovation
Funder · Swindon
In the news
Quantum Zeitgeist articles naming the lead organisation or partners. They may not be about this project.
Arqit’s quantum-linked revenue dips to $355,000 – $380,000, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Arqit Quantum Inc. announces select preliminary financial results for the second half and full fiscal year 2026, expecting revenue of approximately $355,000 to $380,000 for the second half period ended 30 September 2026. For the full fiscal year ended 30 September 2026, revenue is expected to be $97
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Nu Quantum aims to link quantum computers into one system, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Nu Quantum proposes a new scaling path for quantum computers, mirroring how classical and AI systems connect processors.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
A recap of the Quantum Software Lab’s Quantum Fringe in Edinburgh, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
The Quantum Software Lab (QSL) at the University of Edinburgh has become a globally recognized hub for creating software solutions, and with its strategic partnership with the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), now has more than 70 researchers. In three years, the QSL is poised to lead a
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
University of Edinburgh’s Quantum Fringe festival builds on 1,000 attendees, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Quantum Fringe Festival 2026, a two-month programme of events, explores the latest developments in quantum computing and its real-world applications. Building on last year’s event, which brought together around 1,000 attendees across 16 events, the festival running from May to July 2026, continues t
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Sources
- Gateway to Research: AIRQKD (gtr.ukri.org)
- CSA Catapult: BT teams up with UK quantum tech start-ups to trial secure fixed-mobile network infrastructure (csa.catapult.org.uk)
- BT: BT teams up with UK quantum tech start-ups to trial secure fixed-mobile network infrastructure for 5G and connected cars (newsroom.bt.com)
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A national research hub building quantum networks, from local links to satellite connections. Heriot-Watt University leads it.
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