The first quantum-secured communication line connects Košice and Prešov
On December 11, 2025, at UPJŠ in Košice, in the premises of the Center for Applied Informatics PF UPJŠ, located at Jesenná 5, connecting Košice and Prešov. This is a historic milestone in the construction of the national quantum communication infrastructure and also the first fully functional element of the Slovak network, which is part of the pan-European EuroQCI project.
Slovakia is thus joining the countries actively developing second-generation quantum technologies – technologies that will enable not only secure communication but also the transfer of quantum information between quantum computers in the future. The Slovak quantum network is being created as a part of the national project skQCI, which is a part of the European initiative EuroQCI (European Quantum Communication Infrastructure). A broad platform of partners who have signed the Memorandum on Support for the Development of Quantum Communication Infrastructure in Slovakia is also contributing to the development of quantum infrastructure. The signatories include universities, research institutions, public authorities, and technology partners. The memorandum creates a framework for a coordinated action in the introduction of quantum technologies, the interconnection of public institutions via secure quantum links, and the sharing of know-how across the sector. The ceremonial opening of the first link between Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice and the University of Prešov in Prešov is a concrete result of this joint initiative.
„Among other things, this quantum line provides an excellent opportunity for our faculty and university to enrich teaching with practical demonstrations and conduct a new type of research in the fields of quantum computing and cyber security. This new stimulus has reinforced the faculty’s intention to create a new study program focused on quantum technologies.“ prof. RNDr. Gabriel Semanišin, PhD., Vice-Dean for Development and Quality Management at UPJŠ in Košice
Before the ceremonial launch of the line between Košice and Prešov, secondary school students had a unique opportunity to see a live demonstration of this quantum connection in the morning. During the demonstration, a group of students from the Secondary Industrial School of Electrical Engineering in Prešov connected with nearly 200 students present in the UPJŠ auditorium in Košice as part of the Focus on Nobel Prizes event, organized annually by the Faculty of Science of Pavol Jozeš Šafárik University in Košice.
Attending guests
- The Office of the President of the Slovak Republic – Mgr. Michal Frič, PhD.
- MIRRI SR – Ing. Matej Štefánik
- Institute of Physics SAS – doc. Mgr. Mário Ziman, PhD.
- FMFI UK Bratislava – prof. RNDr. Miroslav Grajcar, DrSc.
- ÚEF SAV – doc. RNDr. Slavomír Gabáni, PhD.; RNDr. Peter Skyba, DrSc.
- Prešov University in Prešov – prof. RNDr. Marián Reiffers, DrSc.
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice – Ing. Miroslav Pomikala; prof. RNDr. Gabriel Semanišin, PhD.; doc. Mgr. Michal Gallay, PhD.
- QUTE.SK – RNDr. Pavol Surovec; Mgr. Art. Diana Cencer Garafová, ArtD.
From left to right: prof. RNDr. Miroslav Grajcar, DrSc. (head of the deteQUTE work package in the skQCI project, FMFI UK in Bratislava), prof. RNDr. Gabriel Semanišin, PhD., (Vice-Dean for Development and Quality Management at UPJŠ in Košice), doc. Mgr. Mário Ziman, PhD.(Director, Institute of Physics of SAS in Bratislava), RNDr. Peter Skyba, DrSc., (Leading Scientist in a field of Physics of Low Temperatures , Institute of Experimental Physics SAS in Košice),prof. RNDr. Marián Reiffers, DrSc., (Vice-Dean for Science, Art, Sport and Acreditation, Prešov University in Prešov)
Foto: PF UPJŠ