Inauguration of INO’s KIRQ Quantum Communication Test Bench

The KIRQ quantum communication test bench will enable companies and organizations in the Québec City region to access a unique environment for experimenting with systems and applications based on quantum and post-quantum communication technologies.

These new quantum technologies will be tested at Université Laval’s Centre for Optics, Photonics and Lasers (COPL-ULaval), as well as at the Institut National d’Optique (INO), located in Québec City. INO is Canada’s largest optics and photonics expertise center and one of the world’s leading applied research and technology organizations. Ultimately, these technologies will provide an unprecedented level of security and reliability, with tangible benefits for society, particularly in the healthcare, defense, banking, and insurance sectors.

A Major Milestone for KIRQ and Québec

“Today marks an important milestone for KIRQ and for Québec. This is a decisive phase in bringing together researchers, companies, and public decision-makers around a common goal: building tomorrow’s communication networks—more secure, more innovative, and delivering strategic benefits for our society. After establishing the test bench in Sherbrooke and Montréal, it is now the Québec City region’s turn to gain access to the KIRQ test bench, forming a large loop across Québec. This project is undeniably structuring and operational, and it already positions Québec as a global leader in the development of quantum technologies,” emphasized Bernard Duval, President and CEO of Numana.

Support from the Government of Québec

“For our government, it is essential to create an environment that fosters innovation. That is why we supported Numana with $6.5 million to implement its quantum communication network accessible to Québec businesses. With this third site, the KIRQ test bench further strengthens Québec’s position as a global hub for technological innovation in this strategic area of our economy,” said Eric Girard, Minister Delegate for Regional Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.

“The launch of KIRQ is a major event for the quantum ecosystem. Its tools and experimental laboratories encourage the development, commercialization, and adoption of cutting-edge technologies. I congratulate the Numana team for this achievement, which will greatly enhance cybersecurity and data protection for Québec organizations and the population as a whole,” added Gilles Bélanger, Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Affairs.

The Benefits of the KIRQ Test Bench

A quantum communication test bench provides an essential environment for transforming scientific advances into practical solutions. By bringing together industry, academic researchers, and partners within a dedicated laboratory, it enables joint experimentation under realistic, controlled, and operationally representative conditions.

The KIRQ test bench makes it possible to rigorously assess the technological maturity of quantum solutions, reduce integration risks, and accelerate the transition from research to industrial applications. This infrastructure plays a key role in supporting innovation and encouraging the adoption of quantum technologies.

Government of Canada Support for Regional Quantum Innovation

“Our government is committed to investing to ensure that our SMEs remain competitive and innovative. Through Canada Economic Development’s investment in regional quantum innovation, we are helping position Québec SMEs and organizations while strengthening Canada’s global leadership in this emerging field. All Canadians—and our economy—will benefit from the success and impact of the quantum communications test benches in Sherbrooke, Montréal, and now Québec City. Congratulations to Mr. Duval and the entire Numana team on this accomplishment!” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Québec regions.

COPL’s Recognized Expertise in Quantum Photonics

Université Laval will oversee the deployment, operation, and coordination of a KIRQ quantum communication access point at the Optics and Photonics Pavilion. Operated jointly by COPL-ULaval and Numana, the site will host specialized instruments and welcome users to support testing, validation, and technology demonstration activities under real-world conditions.

COPL-ULaval will also contribute to this collaborative environment by leveraging its expertise and research infrastructure.

“This collaboration will enable Université Laval to help structure a sovereign Québec ecosystem for quantum innovation. It will support the development of quantum cybersecurity technologies, their integration into student training, and their adoption by industrial, academic, and institutional partners,” stated Eugénie Brouillet, Vice-Rector for Research, Creation, and Innovation at Université Laval.

INO’s Expertise Put to Work

INO will not only be a user of the test bench, but also a co-designer, host, and technology facilitator of this strategic infrastructure in the Québec City region. Its commitment aligns fully with its mission of developing cutting-edge technologies, transferring them to industry, and building a sustainable quantum ecosystem—serving as a direct bridge between research, companies, and institutional partners.

“Thanks to this test bench, INO will be able to validate strategic directions in its quantum photonics program, particularly quantum transduction and interconnection between terrestrial and satellite networks, and in the longer term, RF, 5G, 6G, and THz technologies. Developed in close collaboration with our partners, this work aims to enable entanglement between distinct quantum systems and to realize the promise of exponential performance gains—most importantly, with direct transfer to industrial sectors,” said Alain Chandonnet, President and CEO of the Institut National d’Optique (INO).

A Strategic Collaboration with Nokia Canada

“The KIRQ test bench provides Québec with a unique platform to accelerate innovation in quantum communications, and Nokia is proud to contribute. Through our advanced optical, IP networking, and critical connectivity technologies, we are helping researchers and companies test solutions that will prepare the transition toward reliable and sovereign quantum infrastructures. Combined with Numana’s presence in the region and the expertise of Université Laval (COPL-ULaval) and INO, this initiative strengthens Québec’s role as a strategic hub in the quantum domain. It is an investment in security, performance, and the technological future of the country,” emphasized Jeffrey Maddox, President of Nokia Canada.

An Open, Scalable, Adaptable, and Collaborative Test Bench

The test bench is available to startups, technology developers, academic institutions, research centers, SMEs, and large enterprises in Canada and abroad. It will integrate new quantum communication technologies as they become commercially available. Its infrastructure will evolve, and its usage models can be adjusted to meet the needs of participating organizations and vertical markets, including healthcare, finance, critical infrastructure, transportation, security, military, and telecommunications.

About Numana

Numana is a non-profit organization acting as a macro-accelerator of technologies. By mobilizing the private, public, academic, and community sectors, Numana designs and drives structuring projects so that tomorrow’s technologies can emerge, be tested, adopted, and ultimately benefit society as a whole.