The EPSRC Quantum Communications Hub

The Quantum Communications Hub is one of four Hubs comprising the research and development end of the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme. This programme is now in its second phase (2019-2024), following a successful first phase that ran 2014-2019. This Hub provides the UK focus for the quantum communications sector. This report provides a brief overview of the Hub's phase 1 developments, which mainly concentrated on progressing quantum key distribution (QKD) towards wider application. The grand vision of the phase 2 Hub is integrated secure quantum communications at all distance scales. For practicality and flexibility, this involves free-space communications at the shortest distance scales, fibre-based communications at the metropolitan and inter-city distance scales covered by current fibre networking, and free-space communications to support the very longest distances required for global reach. This report also outlines the ongoing Hub activities on short-range consumer QKD, fibre networking and long distance satellite-to-ground QKD. Brief discussion of the Hub work on new protocols, hybrid secure communications, standards and components is also given.