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Why did Numana choose this project?
Indeed, the significant progress made in quantum information technologies and the international growth of this sector raise questions about the security of our communications systems and the evolution towards the quantum Internet.
McKinsey and Company estimates that the size of the quantum communications market will be between $11 and $15 billion in 2035, and between $24 and $36 billion in 2040. In the short term, quantum communication will continue to develop and attract commercial interest. However, the threats are also becoming clearer: the likelihood that quantum computers will be able to break current RSA-2048-type communications security protocols between 2027 and 2036.
Organizations therefore need to consider and plan a migration of their data security procedures, all the more quickly as the use of new methods of a quantum nature will take some time to be incorporated into their operations.
Our initiative enables organizations that come to test their projects to prepare for these upheavals.
Project objectives
Accelerate technological development: Provide a neutral platform for testing, validating and developing quantum communication technologies under real-life conditions, to accelerate their transition to commercialization.
Stimulate collaborative innovation: Foster partnerships between researchers, businesses and public institutions to encourage open innovation and knowledge sharing.
Strengthening Quebec’s leadership: Positioning Quebec as a key player in the field of quantum technologies at the national and international levels. Developing a dynamic ecosystem capable of attracting funding and strategic collaborations from global stakeholders.
Contributing to the development of a skilled workforce: Supporting the development of highly qualified personnel by creating learning and specialization opportunities in quantum technologies
Preparing for the adoption of quantum communication technologies: Serving as a neutral testing ground for interoperability and standardization. Providing an independent and open platform to assess and compare the performance of various technologies and providers.
Kirq, a unique approach
Deployed in Sherbrooke, Montreal, and Quebec, Kirq offers an experimentation and prototyping platform for businesses and researchers, facilitating the development and validation of new communication technologies in the era of quantum information.
Our test bed allows for the exploration of practical use cases in real conditions, particularly for cybersecurity, quantum-safe networks, and other critical applications.
Kirq is based on four fundamental principles:
Open : Whether you are a large company, an SME, a start-up, a research
center, a university, a governmental, local or international institution, Kirq
can be your quantum communication experimentation playground.
Scalable : Quantum and classical systems are deployed on terrestrial
optical fiber networks and short and long-range wireless networks (satellites,
point-to-point optical links, 5G cellular), up to an entanglement distribution
network.
Adaptable : Kirq is a versatile infrastructure, with several poles,
multiple possible topologies, and diversified platforms. This allows adjusting
to the specific needs and requirements of users and the diversity of projects.
Collaborative : We encourage networking and collaboration between
experts, researchers, developers, and testbed participants, whether they are
specialists or non-technical stakeholders.
Kirq, a multi-dimensional offer :
A fiber optic infrastructure
Quantum Key Distribution Systems (QKD)
High-performance classical transmission equipment (DWDM)
Integrated Key Management Software
Secure Key Storage Device (HSM)
A complete IT infrastructure (servers, firewalls…)
Kirq, multiple use cases
Simple usage
Kirq is aimed at…
- Companies, to be able to experiment with use cases and application cases based on emerging quantum communication technologies.
- Product developers, system integrators, and researchers, to have a testing environment to validate their technologies and solutions for commercialization purposes.
- Technology providers, to demonstrate the value of products and services to potential users/customers under real-world conditions.
- Financial transactions
- Governmental applications (for example, exchange of medical records)
- Public security and military applications
- Internet of Things (IoT) security
- Protection of critical infrastructures (ports, water distribution, energy)
- Supply chains of complex manufactured products
Project roadmap
2026 Satellite connexion with the Canadian Space Agency, long haul link (interegional)
Numana, project manager of the Kirq testbed
Numana has set up an advisory committee composed of experts and representatives from each hub of the testbed to guide the development and evolution of Kirq.
Major partners
Visionary partners
Collaborators
Ecosystem partners
Media partners
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