BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 24. This autumn marks
the completion of Latvia’s three-year National Quantum
Communication Infrastructure Project, which established the
country’s first quantum key distribution (QKD) backbone network,
Trend
reports.

The initiative was carried out in partnership between the
Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC), Tet,
Elektroniskie sakari, and the Institute of Mathematics and Computer
Science at the University of Latvia (IMCS UL).

Throughout the project, partners integrated quantum key
distribution technologies into existing communication networks,
explored secure data transmission for the public sector, developed
QKD interconnections for 5G testing, and conducted quantum key
transmission trials in healthcare and financial institutions.

The project also involved encrypted long-distance data
transmission, aimed at enabling future cross-border connections
within the unified European quantum communication network, and
included training seminars and public education initiatives.

“Quantum technology development in Latvia holds significant
potential for innovation and growth. Latvia is becoming a regional
center for quantum research and development, which makes it
essential to implement both national and international projects
that not only advance scientific knowledge but also create real
infrastructure and quantum-secure data transmission solutions,”
said Andulis Židkovs, State Secretary at the Ministry of Transport,
during the project’s closing event.

During the event, project partners presented their research
findings and emphasized the importance of transitioning from
theoretical results to practical implementation across various
industries.

The lead partner, LVRTC, achieved key milestones with tangible
applications.

“We have established the first QKD network in the Baltic region,
which means Latvia is becoming a leader in this technology. It lays
the foundation for further infrastructure development both
nationally and in international connections,” said Evijs Taube,
Member of the Management Board at LVRTC.

The project also developed an open-source key management system
to securely handle quantum keys and defined performance thresholds
necessary for integration into the future pan-European quantum
communication network.

“We’ve built a fully functioning network that operates beyond
laboratory conditions — it’s a real, working system used by
multiple partners with different devices and technologies. It’s
rare in Europe to achieve such results in a first project,” noted
Leo Trukšāns, LVRTC’s lead quantum engineer and Associate Professor
at the University of Latvia.

Specialist training in ICT and quantum technologies was also
carried out to prepare the sector for the arrival of quantum
computing, ensuring readiness for the opportunities and
cybersecurity challenges it will bring.

According to Dr. Rihards Balodis, Development Director at IMCS
UL, researchers are actively creating communication networks for
quantum encryption and quantum-resistant data protection,
integrating photon-based communication channels into classical
telecom networks.

“We’re building and testing the backbone for quantum key
exchange systems. There is no single universal quantum
communication solution — rather, each network can be tailored to
specific needs, creating a customized ‘quantum shield’ for data
protection. Quantum mechanics-based solutions can dramatically
enhance communication and client data security,” Dr. Balodis
explained.

The company Elektroniskie sakari contributed by exploring how
QKD technologies can be integrated into wireless communication
systems. Its team connected existing 5G, Wi-Fi, and IoT systems
with QKD optical networks to test encryption and data transmission
performance under various technical conditions.

“The experiments proved that quantum and wireless technologies
can safely and efficiently coexist. By ensuring synchronization and
precise system configuration, we showed that integrating QKD and
random number generation into modern wireless systems is
technically feasible. This is a major step toward secure
communication infrastructure that will become a cornerstone of the
digital future,” said Jānis Bārda, Chairman of the Board of
Elektroniskie sakari.

Tet successfully conducted quantum-based data transmission tests
in seven healthcare institutions of the Riga East Clinical
University Hospital, simulating the transfer of medical and patient
data to evaluate QKD’s security and efficiency. Similar tests in
financial institutions also confirmed the highest levels of data
protection.

“This was the first time in Latvia and the Baltic States that
QKD key transmission was tested using real hospital infrastructure.
The results confirmed that quantum-secure technologies ensure
maximum data protection for sensitive information,” said Guna
Soloveja, Head of Research and Business Development at Tet.

The closing ceremony also featured remarks from Edgars Liepiņš,
Director of the ICT Department at the Ministry of Defense, and
Lauma Sīka, Deputy Director of the Higher Education and Science
Department at the Ministry of Education and Science, highlighting
the strategic importance of quantum technologies for Latvia’s
digital security and innovation.

About the Project

Project title: National-Level Quantum Communication
Infrastructure System and Network Development (LATQN, ID No.
101091559)
Implementation period: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025
Total budget: 8,061,380 euros

The project is co-financed by the European Union, covering 50
percent of total eligible costs (4,030,690 euros). An additional
2,736,440 euros was provided by the Latvian state budget and
1,294,250 euros by project partners.

The project contributes to the EuroQCI initiative and supports
the goals of the EU Digital Europe Programme, enhancing
cybersecurity and enabling secure communication services for both
public institutions and private enterprises.