Lat-LitQN aims to develop and pilot the first cross-border quantum communication backbone between Latvia and Lithuania, providing secure Baltic link to interconnected pan-European quantum-safe networks and securing critical digital infrastructure. By creating QKD link from Riga to Vilnius the project will complement LATQN – national QKD backbone in Latvia and provide secure nodes for connection to Poland QKD infrastructure (PIONIER-Q), developed under Digital Europe programme. For development of secure Lat-LitQN backbone, existing fiber-optic network will be used, adding QKD devices manufactured in EU member states, maintaining the ‘trusted node’ principles and potential connection to optical ground stations. Additionally, the most suitable Q-KMS systems based on ETSI 020 standard draft will be explored to ensure further interconnections for pan-European QKD, as well as for QKD deployment in telecommunication, defence, healthcare, finance and other critical infrastructure operators. 5 partners from Latvia and Lithuania will be involved in the project. The leading partner will be the largest Latvian fiber-optic network operator TET LLC, involving drivers of Latvian Quantum Initiative the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Latvia. Lithuania will be represented by fiber-optic network operator Kaunas University of Technology and Vilnius University.
Project funding:
The project is funded by European Union funds under The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in Telecom programme
Project results:
The project aims to establish a ~300 km cross-border Quantum Communication Infrastructure (QCI) backbone connecting Riga, Panevėžys, and Vilnius. This infrastructure will ensure ultra-secure data transmission between the two countries.
Key Planned Deliverables
1. The network will utilize approximately 85% of existing fiber-optic assets. The remaining ~15% (a 43 km stretch in Lithuania) will be constructed in 2026 (outside the scope of this specific project).
2. The project will deploy 1-2 cross-border trusted nodes. One primary trusted node will be located in Panevėžys (Lithuania). If necessary, 1-2 additional nodes will be established in Bauska (Latvia) and Ukmergė (Lithuania).
3. Two pairs of QKD systems will be deployed, utilizing long-distance QKD deployment models fully integrated with the fiber-optic network.
4. An integrated Quantum Key Management System will be developed and implemented in strict accordance with ETSI GS QKD 020 standards.
5. A feasibility study will be conducted on passive satellite-to-ground infrastructure. This study will explore the potential of integrating terrestrial QKD networks with satellite links (e.g., the Eagle-1 satellite).
Period of project implementation: 2026-01-01 - 2028-12-31
Project coordinator: SABIEDRIBA AR IEROBEZOTU ATBILDIBU TET (TET)
Project partners: Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius University, LATVIJAS UNIVERSITATES MATEMATIKAS UN INFORMATIKAS INSTITUTS (IMCS UL)
