About
The University of York leads the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Quantum Communications, now in its third phase as QCi3 (Quantum Communications Innovation and Infrastructure). Established under the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme in 2014, the Communications Hub brings together researchers and industry partners to develop practical quantum communications technologies, including quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum repeaters, and quantum networking infrastructure. The York quantum group conducts research in quantum optics, quantum information, quantum cryptography, and entanglement-based quantum communication protocols. In December 2025, the QCi3 hub signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), deepening collaboration between the quantum computing and communications research ecosystems. The hub's research programme spans free-space quantum communications, fibre-based QKD, satellite quantum communications, and post-quantum cryptography integration. The University of York's Department of Physics hosts the hub's primary research activities. Partner institutions include the University of Cambridge, the University of Bristol, and multiple UK technology companies focused on deploying practical quantum-secure communications infrastructure for the financial, government, and critical national infrastructure sectors.
Quantum Specifications
| Quantum Focus | hardware |