Our installations

Kirq in Quebec

Kirq is built on a distributed infrastructure spanning several strategic hubs across Quebec, with sites in Montreal, Sherbrooke and Quebec City, offering access to 240 km of dark fibre. This regional presence enables the creation of a real-world testing environment, connected to the province’s main innovation, research and telecommunications ecosystems.

Each testbed site contributes to this dynamic with its own specific expertise: academic research, photonics, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, industrial innovation or technology entrepreneurship. Together, they form a collaborative network where researchers, businesses, telecom operators and public organisations can test and evaluate quantum communication technologies under conditions close to real-world deployments.

This open and neutral approach is one of Kirq’s key strengths. The testbed enables organisations to experiment without relying on a single supplier, whilst promoting interoperability and collaboration between different stakeholders in the ecosystem. This model reduces the risks associated with adopting new technologies and accelerates the transition from research to practical applications.

By establishing a shared experimental network across Quebec, Kirq is also helping to strengthen the province’s position in the development of quantum technologies and secure digital infrastructure. This ability to bring together scientific expertise, advanced infrastructure and industrial partners creates a unique environment for developing the quantum-safe communications of the future.