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Do you know the Kirq testbed? When quantum technologies are mentioned, people’s imaginations run wild: ultra-powerful computers, broken codes, imminent science fiction. Yet one of the most tangible and already well-advanced revolutions in quantum science isn’t about computing—it’s about something far more fundamental: communication.
This transformation isn’t happening in some abstract future. In Quebec, it takes the form of a real infrastructure: Kirq, a quantum communication testbed operated by Numana, a non-profit organization acting as a catalyst for major technological projects. The goal is not to stage spectacular demonstrations, but to allow organizations to test quantum and post-quantum communication technologies under real-world conditions.
Quantum technologies arrive in Quebec
The project has been developed in stages. First deployed in Sherbrooke, then in Montreal, the testbed is now expanding to the greater Quebec City area. This gradual rollout has connected several research and innovation hubs, forming a quantum communication loop across Quebec. The network attracts local and international actors—from telecom companies to large tech groups—eager to test these new forms of communication before they become critical infrastructure.
“Today marks an important milestone for Kirq and for Quebec (…) around a shared goal: building the communication networks of tomorrow, more secure, more innovative, and delivering strategic benefits for our society,” said Bernard Duval.
Rather than multiplying isolated demonstrations, the project was designed as an evolving infrastructure capable of testing quantum communication technologies in various contexts with university, industrial, and institutional partners. The arrival of Kirq in Quebec City thus represents a new stage: the transition to a wider, more diverse network, closer to real-world usage.
The new quantum technologies will be tested at Laval University’s Center for Optics, Photonics, and Lasers (COPL-ULaval) and at the National Optics Institute (INO) in Quebec City, the largest optics-photonics expertise center in Canada and one of the world’s top technology research centers. Eventually, these technologies will provide unprecedented levels of security and reliability, with concrete benefits for society, especially in healthcare, defense, banking, and insurance.
A significant milestone for Kirq and Quebec
“Today marks an important milestone for Kirq and for Quebec—a decisive phase bringing researchers, companies, and public decision-makers together around a common goal: building the communication networks of tomorrow, more secure, more innovative, and delivering strategic benefits to society. After establishing the testbed in Sherbrooke and Montreal, it is now the greater Quebec City region’s turn to access Kirq, forming a large loop across Quebec. This project is unquestionably structural and operational, already positioning Quebec as a global leader in quantum technology development,” emphasized Bernard Duval, CEO of Numana.
A strategic innovation focus from the government
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Christine Fréchette, interviewed by Chloé-Anne Touma in 2025 for LES CONNECTEURS[/caption]
“For our government, it is essential to create an environment conducive to innovation. That’s why we supported Numana with $6.5 million to set up its quantum communication network accessible to Quebec companies. With this third site, the Kirq testbed further strengthens Quebec’s position as a global hub for technological innovation in this strategically important sector of our economy,” stated Eric Girard, Delegate Minister for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.
“This is one of Quebec’s strengths (…)” – Christine Fréchette
In a 2024 interview, Minister Christine Fréchette—currently a candidate for the CAQ leadership—highlighted the project’s already observable and expected impacts, describing it as “the development of an innovative platform that sets a precedent and will allow testing quantum technologies under very realistic conditions (…) showcasing this platform and its new possibilities.” She also noted that Quebec has established a Quantum Innovation Zone in Sherbrooke. “This is one of Quebec’s strengths, and we must continue to innovate to maintain our strategic international position. This is exactly what we are doing today with this testbed.”
“The launch of Kirq is a major milestone for the quantum ecosystem. Its tools and experimental laboratories promote 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 Quebec organizations and the public,” added Gilles Bélanger, Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Affairs.
The benefits of the Kirq testbed
A quantum communication testbed provides an essential environment for turning scientific advances into practical solutions. By bringing together industry players, university researchers, and partners within a dedicated laboratory, it enables joint experimentation under realistic, controlled conditions representative of operational use. The Kirq testbed allows rigorous evaluation of the technological maturity of quantum solutions, reduces integration risks, and accelerates the transition from research to industrial applications. This infrastructure plays a key role in supporting innovation and encouraging adoption of quantum technologies.
COPL’s recognized expertise in quantum photonics
Laval University will implement, operate, and manage a Kirq testbed access point at the Optics-Photonics Pavilion. Jointly operated by COPL-ULaval and Numana, this site will host specialized instruments and welcome users to support their testing, validation, and demonstration activities under real-world conditions. COPL-ULaval will also contribute its expertise and research infrastructure to this collaborative environment.
“This collaboration will enable Laval University to contribute to the development of a sovereign Quebec quantum innovation ecosystem. It will promote the development of quantum cybersecurity technologies, their integration into student training, and their adoption by industrial, academic, and institutional partners,” explained Eugénie Brouillet, Vice-Rector for Research, Creation, and Innovation at Laval University.
INO expertise put to work
INO will not only use the testbed but also co-design, host, and technologically manage this strategic infrastructure in the Quebec City region. Its involvement aligns with its mission to develop advanced technologies, transfer them to industry, and sustainably structure the quantum ecosystem, bridging research, companies, and institutional partners.
“Through this testbed, INO can validate strategic areas of its quantum photonics program, including quantum transduction and interconnection between terrestrial, satellite, and, in the longer term, RF, 5G, 6G, and THz technologies. Developed closely with our partners, this work aims to entangle distinct quantum systems and realize exponential performance gains, while ensuring transfer to industrial sectors,” stated Alain Chandonnet, CEO of INO.
Strategic collaboration with Nokia Canada
“The Kirq testbed provides Quebec with a unique platform to accelerate innovation in quantum communication, and Nokia is proud to contribute. Through our advanced optical networks, IP, and critical connectivity technologies, we help researchers and companies test solutions that will prepare the transition to reliable, sovereign quantum infrastructure. Combined with Numana’s presence in the region and the expertise of Laval University (COPL-ULaval) and INO, this initiative strengthens Quebec’s role as a strategic hub in quantum technology. It is an investment in security, performance, and the country’s technological future,” emphasized Jeffrey Maddox, President of Nokia Canada.
An open, scalable, adaptable, and collaborative testbed
The testbed is available to startups, technology development specialists, universities, research centers, SMEs, and large companies, both domestically and internationally. It will integrate new quantum communication technologies as they become commercially available. Its infrastructure can evolve, and its usage modalities can be adjusted to meet the needs of participating organizations and vertical markets, including healthcare, finance, critical infrastructure, transportation, security, military, and telecommunications.
