Ooredoo Qatar has announced the establishment of the first quantum-safe communications link in the State of Qatar in collaboration with Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and the Ministry of Defense.
The project introduces a fully operational end-to-end quantum-safe communications link based on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology.
The initiative supports the development of advanced cybersecurity capabilities and aligns with efforts to strengthen secure communications infrastructure across the country.
In a statement, the company said that the project represents the first implementation of its kind in Qatar and is designed to generate and distribute encryption keys using the principles of quantum mechanics.
Unlike traditional encryption methods, Quantum Key Distribution enables the detection of attempts to intercept communications, providing an additional layer of security for data transmission.
The quantum-safe link was deployed within Ooredoo Qatar’s operational network and builds on research conducted by Hamad Bin Khalifa University in cooperation with ID Quantique (IDQ), a global provider of quantum-safe security technologies.
The collaboration focused on developing a Quantum Key Distribution testbed that is compatible with existing telecommunications infrastructure.
Thani Ali Al Malki, Chief Strategy and Digital Transformation Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, stated that the project reflects cooperation among national institutions in supporting secure and future-ready connectivity.
Al Malki noted that the deployment of quantum-safe technologies within operational telecommunications networks contributes to the continued development of cybersecurity capabilities that support modern digital infrastructure.
Mohammed Al Zaidan, Senior Director of Active and Core Network at Ooredoo Qatar, highlighted that the project was implemented using Ooredoo’s dark-fiber infrastructure. Al Zaidan Al Zaidan emphasized that the engineering teams successfully validated secure key generation and distribution across multiple fiber-link distances as part of the deployment process.
Al Zaidan added that the successful implementation of the Quantum Key Distribution project was achieved through collaboration with HBKU’s Qatar Center for Quantum Computing and the Ministry of Defense, supporting the practical application of quantum-safe networking technologies within a live telecommunications environment.
Dr. Saif Al Kuwari, Director of the Qatar Center for Quantum Computing at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, commented that the center’s approach is based on collaboration between government entities, academic institutions, and industry partners.
Maj. Gen. Zayed Ahmed Al Kuwari, Commander of the Qatar Emiri Signal Corps, described that the project reflects joint efforts to develop secure digital infrastructure and enhance cybersecurity capabilities.
The project brings together contributions from the telecommunications, research, and defense sectors. Ooredoo Qatar enabled the deployment and testing of the technology within its operational network, demonstrating its compatibility with existing telecommunications systems.
HBKU led the scientific research and system integration aspects of the initiative, while also contributing to the development of local expertise in quantum technologies. The Ministry of Defense supported the project as a strategic stakeholder, reflecting the importance of secure communications in supporting national priorities.
