Theme
Linking quantum devices over fibre, free space and satellite, towards networked quantum computers and sensors.
14 projects (6 active), £68.8m of it with a sourced funding figure; BT Group leads the most (3). 45 companies and start-ups work in this area.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum-safe communication are covered under quantum communications and QKD. Go to that theme
SPOQC
A UK CubeSat mission to test quantum key distribution between a satellite and a ground station in Edinburgh.
Led by Heriot-Watt University
Themes: Communications, Networks
QCi3
The national research hub for quantum computing, led by the University of Oxford. It works on scalable and networked quantum computers.
Led by University of Oxford
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Computing, Networks, Software and algorithms
IQN
A national research hub building quantum networks, from local links to satellite connections. Heriot-Watt University leads it.
Led by Heriot-Watt University
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Networks, Communications
Mission 2
A government goal that by 2035 the UK will have deployed the world's most advanced quantum network at scale.
Led by Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Themes: Networks, Communications
A commercial trial of a quantum-secured fibre network in London, run by BT with quantum key distribution equipment from Toshiba.
Led by BT Group
Themes: Communications, Networks
NQTP
The UK's national programme for quantum technologies, set up in 2014 as a partnership between government, academia and industry.
Led by UK Research and Innovation
Themes: Computing, Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation, Communications, Networks, Skills and training
Quantum Missions pilot
An Innovate UK competition that funded industry projects in quantum computing and quantum networks towards the UK quantum missions.
Led by Innovate UK
Themes: Computing, Networks
MARCONI
A RedWave Labs-led consortium building two UK-made receiver modules for entanglement-based quantum key distribution.
Led by RedWave Labs
Funding: £1.5m
Themes: Communications, Networks
A BT-led consortium developing ways to assure the security and reliability of quantum key distribution systems.
Led by BT Group
Themes: Communications, Networks
An ORCA-led consortium that designed and demonstrated how a quantum computer could sit inside a data centre alongside classical systems.
Led by ORCA Computing
Themes: Computing, Communications, Networks
A BT-led consortium testing free-space quantum key distribution for short and mid-range links, including 5G and connected vehicles.
Led by BT Group
Themes: Communications, Networks
An Arqit-led consortium working on UK manufacture of quantum key distribution payloads for satellites.
Led by Arqit
Themes: Communications, Networks
The phase 2 national hub for quantum communications, led by the University of York. The hub's work ran from 2019 to 2024.
Led by University of York
Funding: £23.5m
Themes: Communications, Networks
AQuaSeC
A Toshiba-led consortium that built prototype quantum-safe communication systems. It combined quantum key distribution with quantum-resistant algorithms.
Led by Toshiba Europe
Themes: Communications, Networks
Leads, partners and funders of the projects above.
Company · Sheffield
Company · Filton
Company · Livingston
Company · London
Start-up · Belfast
Company · London
Company · London
Company · Cambridge
National lab · Aldermaston
Company · London
Company · Paignton
Company · London
Company · London
University · Cardiff
Company · Sheffield
Company · London
Research organisation · Newport
Company · Glasgow
Company · London
Government · London
Research organisation · London
Research organisation · Porton Down
Company · Bristol
University · Durham
Funder · Swindon
Company · London
Research organisation · Glasgow
Government · Cheltenham
University · Edinburgh
Investor · London
University · London
Company · Oxford
Funder · Swindon
Company · Cardiff
Company · Delft
Company · Bristol
University · London
University · Loughborough
Start-up · London
Company · Glasgow
Government · London
Government · London
Company · Manchester
University · Newcastle upon Tyne
Company · York
Research organisation · Teddington
Research organisation · Harwell
Company · Cambridge
Company · London
Company · Oxford
Company · Reading
Start-up · Sheffield
Company · Oxford
Company · Farnborough
Company · Cambridge
Company · Oxford
Company · Oxford
Company · London
University · Belfast
Company · Didcot
Company · London
Company · Cambridge
Company · London
University · Egham
National lab · Swindon
Company · Cambridge
Start-up · Oxford
Funder · Swindon
University · London
University · Bath
University · Bristol
University · Cambridge
University · Edinburgh
University · Glasgow
University · Canterbury
University · Oxford
University · Sheffield
University · Southampton
University · Glasgow
University · Brighton
University · Coventry
University · York
Start-up · Glasgow
Company · Newbury
