Secure communication thanks to quantum physics

Since the Ukraine conflict at the latest, it has become increasingly clear how important the encrypted and secure transmission of information is. As one of the largest European telecommunications groups, Deutsche Telekom is playing a leading role in the development of an EU-wide, highly secure communications infrastructure, EuroQCI. EuroQCI, a project supported by the European Commission, uses encryption methods based on quantum physics to ensure data security and digital sovereignty throughout the European Union. The project involves close collaboration with partners such as Airbus DS, Thales SIX and AIT, as well as a group of experts from academia and industry. The initiative is called "PETRUS", which stands for "Protecting Europeans Through Quantum Communications Infrastructure Security Solutions".

Data security in the military sector and for citizens

One of Deutsche Telekom's main objectives in this project is to provide secure and reliable connections within Europe without having to rely on third party providers outside the EU for secure data transmission. EuroQCI will also provide national authorities with access points with a high level of protection for information and communication technologies that support secure internal operations. This system is expected to have applications in a wide range of sectors, from the military to finance, and ultimately provide tangible benefits to businesses in terms of traffic management, operational security and risk prevention.

However, the PETRUS project also has the potential to benefit European citizens in the future. By providing a secure and reliable infrastructure for data transmission, EuroQCI will help to protect private information and support digital sovereignty. This will allow citizens to control their own data and protect themselves from cyber-attacks. It could also facilitate the development of new applications that require a high level of security, such as healthcare services or electronic voting.

The PETRUS project is an important step in the development of a secure digital Europe and will bring numerous benefits for both businesses and citizens. The initiative aims to create a network of secure connections between European countries, facilitating the cross-border exchange of data without relying on third party providers from outside the EU. This higher level of digital sovereignty will help protect citizens from cyber threats. The project is due to be launched in 2024 at the latest.