{"id":708144,"date":"2026-01-20T07:38:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T07:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/708144\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T07:38:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T07:38:20","slug":"upm-and-qbird-deploy-spains-first-multi-node-mdi-qkd-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/708144\/","title":{"rendered":"UPM and Q*Bird Deploy Spain\u2019s First Multi-Node MDI-QKD Network"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Universidad Polit\u00e9cnica de Madrid and Q*Bird have deployed Spain\u2019s first operational multi-node Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD) network across high-security government sites in Madrid.<\/li>\n<li>The hub-and-spoke network connects three end nodes over 30\u201350 km fiber links without trusted nodes, enabling scalable and detector-secure quantum key distribution.<\/li>\n<li>The deployment supports real-world evaluation of metropolitan-scale quantum communications and contributes to Spain\u2019s role in Europe\u2019s EuroQCI quantum infrastructure efforts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>PRESS RELEASE \u2014 Universidad Polit\u00e9cnica de Madrid (also referred to as UPM), through the Quantum Information and Computing Research Group, in collaboration with Q*Bird, has deployed Spain\u2019s first Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD) network, connecting 3 end nodes, marking a significant milestone in Europe\u2019s quantum communication infrastructure. The system is deployed in high-security operational environments, with installations spanning two sites of the Instituto Nacional de T\u00e9cnica Aeroespacial (INTA) and one site of the Ministerio del Interior, Secretar\u00eda General de Sistemas de Informaci\u00f3n y Comunicaciones para la Seguridad (SGSICS), all located in Madrid. This development is part of UPM\u2019s ongoing efforts to enhance the security and scalability of quantum communication networks through excellent research and development.<\/p>\n<p>The network follows a hub-and-spoke topology, consisting of Q*Bird\u2019s Falqon\u00ae Series\u2019 three end nodes, one center hub and a quantum optical switch, with fiber distances ranging between 30 and 50 kilometers from the center hub to each of the user end nodes. This architecture enables multi-node quantum key distribution (QKD) in a fully connected mesh network, without trusted nodes, even at the central hub, offering high scalability, making it suitable for metropolitan-scale deployments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why MDI-QKD?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Classical cryptography relies on computational complexity for security, leaving sensitive data fundamentally vulnerable to future quantum attacks. Even traditional QKD systems, while inherently quantum-secure, are limited by vulnerabilities at the measurement stage as detectors can be exploited by advanced attacks, potentially compromising key and system integrity. MDI overcomes this limitation by ensuring that all detectors exist at the center hub, which does not handle keys or other secrets at any point, and never has access to any keys, enabling highly secure, scalable multi-node networks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA multi-node MDI-QKD network enables our researchers to evaluate key performance metrics and optimise network configurations for high-security scalable deployments,\u201d said Laura Ortiz, Researcher at UPM. \u201cHaving the center hub on UPM premises facilitates maintenance and experimentation while reducing costs, but it also allows us to provide cryptographic services to third parties within the high-security ecosystem with effective trust management.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thequantuminsider.com\/data\/\" onclick=\"_gs(&#039;event&#039;, &#039;DATA IN CONTENT NEW&#039;)\" class=\"responsive-image\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Website-Banner-Quantum-2.gif\" alt=\"Responsive Image\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Technology Behind the Network<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At the core of the live network deployment is Q*Bird\u2019s Falqon\u00ae Series:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The MQX4000 center hub serves as the quantum connecting station, establishing quantum links between multiple nodes.<\/li>\n<li>The MQS4000 optical switch manages the optical transport layer, enabling dynamic distribution of QKD keys across the network.<\/li>\n<li>The MQT4000 user nodes act as quantum information transmitters, providing interfaces to secure cryptography key from the QKD protocol.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This combination allows researchers at UPM to study key generation rates, latency, loss tolerance and interoperability under realistic metropolitan fiber conditions, creating a valuable platform for advancing future quantum communication standards.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe MadQCI ecosystem is more than a quantum network. It is a hub that attracts stakeholders seeking performance, interoperability and scalability solutions that are critical for a Europe-wide quantum infrastructure. Q*Bird\u2019s MDI-QKD system is ideal for powering this all.\u201d said Alberto Sebasti\u00e1n-Lombra\u00f1a, Researcher at UPM.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Building a Quantum-Resilient Future<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The UPM deployment demonstrates that operational MDI-QKD networks are technically feasible, resilient and scalable. The network provides secure multi-node cryptographic quantum key distribution, supporting the development of advanced quantum key management systems and federated quantum network architectures.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBy combining Q*Bird\u2019s MDI-QKD Falqon\u00ae Series with UPM\u2019s infrastructure, we are addressing the immediate threats posed by quantum computing while establishing a secure, scalable platform for future digital connectivity,\u201d shares Dr. Joshua Slater, CTO of Q*Bird. \u201cTrust and security are at the core of this deployment and every node, every link is designed to ensure that the quantum cryptographic keys exchanged cannot be compromised, even by the measurement devices themselves. This is a critical step toward building networks that customers can genuinely rely on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Spain at the European Quantum Frontier<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>UPM\u2019s deployment of Q*Bird\u2019s MDI-QKD Falqon\u00ae Series signals Madrid and Spain\u2019s growing role as a hub for quantum innovation in Southern Europe, with potential economic and technological benefits. It is not just a research achievement, it is a foundation for a quantum-secure digital society.<\/p>\n<p>Q*Bird\u2019s MDI-QKD Falqon\u00ae Series seamlessly integrates with UPM\u2019s existing quantum infrastructure, including their ongoing Madrid Quantum Communication Infrastructure (MadQCI) initiative.<\/p>\n<p>As Spain\u2019s first operational MDI-QKD network, this deployment lays the groundwork for interoperable quantum communication systems and contributes directly to the EuroQCI initiative, reinforcing Europe\u2019s broader push toward a federated quantum internet.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBy deploying yet another fully operational, multi-node MDI-QKD network, we are demonstrating that secure, scalable quantum communications are achievable today. We are thrilled to undertake this deployment in close partnership with UPM, who have been pioneers in QKD deployments and leaders in addressing the real-world challenges of integrating quantum security into existing network infrastructure. Working side by side with UPM on these complex challenges is an exciting milestone, and it reinforces the progress we are making toward building interoperable, industrial-grade quantum networks,\u201d added Dr. Joshua Slater. \u201cThis is a benchmark for future continental networks and a tangible step toward a quantum-secure Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith this network, Spain is not just participating in Europe\u2019s quantum future, it is helping define it,\u201d added Vicente Mart\u00edn, Principal Investigator of the Quantum Information and Computing Research Group. \u201cWe are creating a trusted foundation for secure, multi-node quantum networks that will underpin Europe\u2019s digital sovereignty and research community. This assures and guarantees that the data moving through these trusted networks is truly secure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>UPM and Q*Bird\u2019s collaboration strengthens Spain\u2019s role in developing scalable, operational quantum networks, positioning the country as a key player in Europe\u2019s quantum communications leadership. And this collaboration between UPM and Q*Bird sets a precedent for future initiatives aimed at integrating quantum technologies into critical communication networks. As the field progresses, such partnerships will be instrumental in building resilient systems capable of safeguarding sensitive information in the quantum era!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Universidad Polit\u00e9cnica de Madrid and Q*Bird have deployed Spain\u2019s first operational multi-node Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD) network&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":708145,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5312],"tags":[3457,2000,299,212492,212493,29687,104,212494],"class_list":{"0":"post-708144","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-spain","8":"tag-cybersecurity","9":"tag-eu","10":"tag-europe","11":"tag-mdi-qkd","12":"tag-qbird","13":"tag-quantum-key-distribution","14":"tag-spain","15":"tag-universidad-politecnica-de-madrid"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115926289884991047","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/708144","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=708144"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/708144\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/708145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=708144"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=708144"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=708144"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}