Nokia and Honeywell Aerospace Technologies have partnered with Numana, a Montreal-based tech accelerator and think tank, to develop and promote quantum-safe networks in Canada and globally. Nokia said the partnership aims to drive innovation, raise awareness and speed up the adoption of next-generation secure networking technologies for businesses and service providers.
Jeffrey Maddox, president of Nokia Canada, stressed the urgent need for stronger cryptographic protection in an increasingly digital world. “By partnering with Numana and its collaboration partners like Honeywell Aerospace Technologies and others, we can deploy our combined expertise in enabling future-proof networks to help organizations, enterprises and service providers build a secure and resilient digital future starting today,” the executive said in a statement.
The companies will leverage Numana’s Kirq Quantum Communication Testbed, a facility designed to provide a real-world environment for validating quantum-resistant and quantum communication technologies. Nokia will contribute its expertise in post-quantum networking, including advanced Internet Protocol routers, high-capacity optical transport and quantum-safe cryptography, while Honeywell will focus on delivering quantum-secure encryption keys from space to terrestrial data centers, applications and networks.
According to François Borrelli, Numana president and CEO, the organization will manage the testbed’s deployment, making it available for various projects. Numana’s Quebec facility is also envisioned as a go-to resource for companies, researchers and government agencies looking to explore and test secure networking tech. “Our ambition is to accelerate quantum technology in Quebec and help the industry develop leading-edge products to transform the province into a true global leader in quantum communication,” Borrelli said.
The collaboration will focus on three key areas: education and training, ecosystem development, and research and development. The initiative also aligns with Canada’s broader push for quantum innovation and cybersecurity leadership.
This partnership follows Nokia’s other recent strategic moves. In February, Nokia and EDGE Group subsidiary KATIM teamed up to develop secure telecommunications networks for defense applications in the United Arab Emirates. The Finnish telecom provider also recently received regulatory approval from the European Commission for its $2.3 billion acquisition of open optical networking equipment maker Infinera.