We are excited to announce Aegiq is leading the Quantum Link Assurance System (QLAS) project with support from BT Group and OpenLightComm. Contracted by Innovate UK’s Small Business Research Initiative scheme, Aegiq will develop a prototype solution for operators of fibre links to enable the improvement of operational security and quality of service assurance. Increasing network complexity, ageing infrastructure and emergent advanced threats pose challenges to existing assurance solutions. Using quantum-enhanced techniques, QLAS is a versatile tool, which can be deployed on both classical and quantum secure network links (such as QKD) to ensure the integrity of communications, provide independent link monitoring, and alert to a wide range of malicious or accidental anomalies, such as tapping or ‘hands in the network’. The solution will follow a Software Defined Networking (SDN) approach and will seamlessly integrate into operations on any scale. QLAS offers a unique combination of quantum-level sensitivity, ‘invisible’ operation in standard communication band and advanced analytics, surpassing existing capabilities and unlocking the bridge between classical and quantum system monitoring. Maksym Sich, CEO, Aegiq said “At Aegiq our aim is to deliver the disruptive potential of quantum technologies. It requires comprehensive end-user solutions designed for ease of use. QLAS marks a big advancement towards building a quantum-safe future of communications in the UK and globally.” Andrew Lord, Senior Manager of Optics and Quantum Research, BT Group said: “QLAS is an important technology in helping to assure the physical links used in quantum networks as well as regular optical systems and we look forward to trialling the prototype. As we continue to innovate around network technology, emerging solutions like this will be critical to accelerating the commercial operation of the next generation security on fibre networks.” ____ About Aegiq Aegiq is on a mission to deliver disruptive potential of quantum technologies to the world advancing and safeguarding our society. Founded in 2019, Aegiq is a UK based company developing full-stack photonic quantum computers and applications. We work with customers in a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, defence, aerospace, cybersecurity and AI, to solve their most demanding challenges. For more information, visit aegiq.com About BT Group BT Group is the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and related secure digital products, solutions and services. We also provide managed telecommunications, security and network & IT infrastructure services to customers across 180 countries. BT Group consists of three customer-facing units: Consumer serves individuals and families in the UK; Business covers companies and public services in the UK and internationally; Openreach is an independently governed, wholly owned subsidiary wholesaling fixed access infrastructure services to its customers – over 700 communications providers across the UK. British Telecommunications plc is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit bt.com/about Media enquiries Aegiq Andrii Iamshanov Tel: +44 7539 046733 Email: andrii.iamshanov@aegiq.com BT Group If you have a media enquiry, please contact the External Communications team at: Tеl: 0800 9177550 bt.com/media-enquiries

QBN is Best Ambassador for EU Sovereignty! We are incredibly proud to share that QBN is the winner of La French Tech in Germany Awards 2024 in the category “Best Ambassador for EU Sovereignty”. This is a huge recognition of our QBN team´s effort and our CEO, Johannes Verst’s dedication to promoting European competitiveness and sovereignty. QBN is the one-stop-shop for quantum technology stakeholders and end-users in Europe serving as platform for collaboration, intelligence and business. Together with our 100+ international members, we are dedicated to building a resilient and sustainable quantum economy in Europe by promoting growth acceleration, technological advancements and the trialogue between industry, science and politics. Our goals: – Lead in Quantum Innovation: Turn Europe’s world class quantum research into a global industrial leadership. – European Sovereignty: Ensure Europe’s independence and security with advanced technologies. – Build a Sustainable Future: Create a strong, future-proof ecosystem that supports Europe’s tech and sustainability goals. We invite everyone to join our mission: Kickstart the European economy with deeptech as key driver! Turning Europe into a global industrial powerhouse and enable a secure, sovereign and united future!

Industrial users of cloud-based quantum computing need to assess the capabilities and advantages of different systems for different application areas. There are many metrics that are difficult or impossible to distinguish, especially for end-users. By defining requirements and criteria for the evaluation of different quantum computers, quantum algorithms and their implementation, QBN together with their applied research partner Fraunhofer FOKUS essentially contributes to the development of a strong quantum computing industry and helps end-users to navigate in this promising, dynamic technology field. As winner of the DIN connect challenge, QBN together with Fraunhofer FOKUS (as subcontractor) receives funding for the standardization of the proposal “Benchmarking quantum computers with standardized KPIs”, including the associated support of the entire process by DIN and DKE. Thus, QBN, the world’s leading, global business network for quantum technologies will develop a DIN SPEC together with Fraunhofer FOKUS and a consortium of quantum computing manufacturers, platform and software providers and industry users. The core metrics are to be defined in a way that they describe the properties of a QPU with precise benchmarks and are decisive for the performance in various relevant applications. These applications then no longer have to be tested separately, but can be assessed on the basis of the KPIs, which manufacturers and users can measure in a fair and reproducible manner. The DIN SPEC will then serve as a basis for European and international standard on KPIs to benchmark quantum computers. This document outlines a common framework for quantum computing benchmarking, reflecting the complexity and diversity of the field. However, ongoing research and development in both quantum computing and benchmarking necessitate continuous refinement of these KPIs. QBN, Fraunhofer FOKUS, and consortium partners will collaborate with DIN and other stakeholders to update this document with additional application-specific benchmarks, frameworks, and core metrics. This pre-standard offers: A framework for low-level and high-level benchmarking using algorithmic building blocks. A structured approach to benchmarking at different levels. Reference points and interfaces for benchmarking specific systems. A defined set of metrics and KPIs. Transparent descriptions of metrics, considering factors like reproducibility. Download DIN SPEC 91480 (english version) If you have any questions, please contact us.

10/10/2024– The QLASS project, focused on advancing Quantum Photonic Integrated Circuits (QPICs), has secured €6 million in funding from the European Commission. The initiative is led by a consortium led by Politecnico di Milano, with partners including Fondazione Politecnico di Milano, Pixel Photonics, Quantum Lab in Sapienza Università di Roma, Ephos, CNRS-Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Schott AG, and Unitary Fund France. QPICs are specialized devices that leverage the properties of light and quantum mechanics to execute complex tasks in fields such as quantum computing, communication, and sensing. By integrating multiple photonic components, such as waveguides, beam splitters and detectors, into a single chip, QPICs offer a scalable solution for manipulating quantum states of light with high precision. These circuits hold the potential to significantly reduce the size, cost, and complexity of quantum systems, paving the way for real-world applications. However, the development of QPICs is currently limited by challenges such as photon loss, scalability issues, fabrication complexity, and imperfect photon sources. The QLASS project tackles these challenges heads on. To address the limitations of current QPIC technology, QLASS will employ femtosecond laser writing to fabricate 3D waveguides within glass specifically developed for optimal photonic performance, significantly reducing losses. Additionally, the project will incorporate high-performance single-photon sources, superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), and advanced electronics capable of programming the whole system. Lastly, the team will develop software to compile quantum programs onto the special QPIC processors. A principal use case of the QLASS project is modeling complex systems and materials. In particular, QLASS will pave the way to the design of new materials and technologies for lithium-ion batteries, aiming to improve their capacity, efficiency and cyclability which are crucial in meeting the European Union’s technological and sustainability goals. QLASS will bring significant advancements to the development of QPIC technology and also contribute to progress in glass development and novel SNSPD processes. These breakthroughs are expected to benefit the broader quantum technology community and enable new quantum devices with performance levels far beyond the current platforms. “The QLASS project holds the potential for establishing a new path in quantum computing research”, said Dr. Giulia Acconcia from Politecnico di Milano, the QLASS Coordinator. “Byexploiting various technologies, each one specifically developed to optimize one aspect of quantum processing, and yet pursuing a high level of integration, QLASS will show a viable approach to achieving extremely high performance in a compact scalable circuit.” “QLASS’ synergy between platform and algorithms development”– added Acconcia– “can affect both the research and the market in many application areas, such as quantum information and metrology”. The QLASS partners are: Politecnico di Milano| Italy Fondazione Politecnico di Milano | Italy Pixel Photonics | Germany Quantum Lab- Sapienza Università di Roma | Italy Ephos | Italy CNRS-Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier | France Université de Montpellier | France Schott AG | Germany Unitary Fund France | France More information at https://https://www.qlass-project.eu/ QLASS Coordinator Giulia Acconcia– giulia.acconcia@polimi.it