Research Projects

RoNaQCI: Romanian National Quantum Communication Infrastructure

RoNaQCI proposes the deployment of a 1500+ km QCI network including 6 metropolitan networks in the cities of Bucharest, Iasi, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Craiova and Constanta, with 36 QKD links spanning Romania and connecting 10 universities, 5 research institutes, 5 public bodies, 3 data centers and a medical clinic, and with future links planned for quantum Internet interconnecting with neighbors.

The project will be implemented by a consortium lead by UPB, the largest technical university in Romania and with key infrastructure support from RoEduNet who manages the 6000+ km Romanian network for education and research. The consortium benefits from multi-disciplinary expertise of 30 partners: 12 universities, 7 research institutes, 3 national agencies, 3 companies and 5 relevant stakeholders. It includes both Romanian participants to QuantERA and 10/14 partners from all Romanian quantum communication projects (QUTECH-RO, QSTRAT, QUANTEC).

RoNaQCI will provide both upskilling and technology testbeds, establishing a national network of quantum communication technology (QCT) hubs. Through them, RoNaQCI will produce a national QCT training and education standard. This includes the development of a standard QCT certification and organizing workshops and training sessions to deliver a large number of trained users in academia, public bodies and industry including internet service providers.

RoNaQCI will develop and contribute to open source software for QCI monitoring and exploitation including security certificates, VPN and SSH. RoNaQCI software will be used for QCI testing, for 15 metropolitan advanced use cases on medical, financial and big data, public administration, research and special communication and for 2 national use cases on education and special communication.

RoNaQCI is developed in partnership with national institutions such as the Romanian Naval Authority, the National Ministry of Education and the National Ministry of Defense.

Principal Investigators
Mihai CĂRĂBAȘ, George Pantelimon POPESCU (Project Director)

(Project Manager, DCTI)
Project Team

Sebastian Mihai ARDELEAN, Marinela POPESCU
Total Project (Grant) Value
10 Mil. EUR
Value, UPT Partner
143455 EUR
Funding Source
DIGITAL - Digital Europe Programme, European Union, Code DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01, Contract 101091562/08.12.2022
Project Duration
2023.01.01 - 2025.06.30
Research Fields