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    Completed Hub

    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.

    Project data last updated 11 October 2026

    About this project

    The Quantum Communications Hub led the communications strand of the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme from 2014 to 2024. In 2019 it was awarded £23.5m for a second five-year phase. The University of York led it with nine partner universities. Professor Tim Spiller was principal investigator.

    The hub worked on quantum key distribution, quantum networks and satellite quantum communications. It is now complete, and the Integrated Quantum Networks hub carries on this area of work.

    Who leads it

    • Gerald Buller

      Director, Integrated Quantum Networks Hub; Professor of Physics, Heriot-Watt University

      Heriot-Watt University

    • Tim Spiller Former

      Former Director, Quantum Communications Hub (2014 to 2024); Professor, University of York

      University of York · Quantum Communications Hub

    Lead organisation

    University of York

    University · York

    Host of the national Quantum Communications Hub to 2024; its researchers built a quantum source payload for the SPOQC CubeSat launched in March 2026.

    Partners (15)

    Funders

    In the news

    Quantum Zeitgeist articles naming the lead organisation or partners. They may not be about this project.

    • A glowing key formed from binary code floats above a complex circuit board in a darkened server room, dominated by blues and oranges.

      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

    • Researchers Bound Extended Source Imaging Error by 74%

      Researchers Bound Extended Source Imaging Error by 74%, read on Quantum Zeitgeist

      A weighted variance just 7% from fundamental limits demonstrates how entangled photons can dramatically outperform conventional optical interferometry. Previously restricted to single or dual telescopes, this work extends that advantage to M-station arrays, achieving roughly ten times better perform

      Image © Quantum Zeitgeist

    • Researchers Simulate Molecules Using Ten Thousand Qubits

      Researchers Simulate Molecules Using Ten Thousand Qubits, read on Quantum Zeitgeist

      Achieving complete quantum simulations once required resources beyond current capabilities; now, calculations previously intractable are possible using approximately ten thousand physical qubits. This new compilation framework estimates end-to-end runtimes, from 102 milliseconds on photonic or super

      Image © Quantum Zeitgeist

    All news for this project and its partners

    Sources

    1. Quantum Communications Hub: About the Hub (quantumcommshub.net)
    2. Gateway to Research: EP/T001011/1 (gtr.ukri.org)
    3. University of Bristol: £94 million for quantum technologies research hubs (July 2019) (bristol.ac.uk)