IonQ announced the deployment of its quantum key distribution (QKD) network in Romania, the largest operational QKD infrastructure in Europe outside China. The network spans 1,500 km, includes 36 quantum‑secured links, and connects Bucharest, Iași, Timișoara, Craiova, Cluj‑Napoca, and Constanța. The deployment was made possible through a partnership with the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest and RoEduNet, and uses IonQ’s subsidiary ID Quantique’s commercially available QKD technology.
The network is a key component of the European Quantum Communications Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative, which aims to build a secure quantum communication backbone across the EU. By operating at scale, the Romanian deployment demonstrates that QKD can support national‑security initiatives and protect sensitive communications across government, healthcare, research, education, and data‑center environments, according to CEO Niccolo de Masi.
The announcement came alongside IonQ’s strong Q4 2025 and full‑year 2025 results, which saw revenue rise to $61.9 million in Q4 and $130 million for the year, representing 429% and 202% year‑over‑year growth, respectively. The company also raised its 2026 revenue guidance to $225–$245 million, well above analyst expectations, reflecting confidence in continued demand for its quantum‑computing and networking solutions.
Management highlighted the strategic importance of the deployment. Niccolo de Masi said, "IonQ is proud to support this large operational quantum‑secure communications network deployed in Europe, and to directly contribute to the realization of EuroQCI, which is building Europe’s flagship quantum communication infrastructure. This deployment shows how QKD can operate at‑scale to support national security initiatives and protect sensitive communications across government, healthcare, research, education, and data center environments." Prof. Pantelimon George Popescu added, "Our newly deployed national QKD infrastructure is an important milestone both for Romania and for the EuroQCI effort. This network establishes a practical foundation for secure data exchange across Romania and contributes to the broader European effort to build interoperable quantum communications networks." Grégoire Ribordy, VP Science at IonQ and co‑founder of ID Quantique, noted, "Completing this network is the result of more than two decades of work to turn quantum key distribution into dependable infrastructure that governments and enterprises can rely on today."
Investors reacted positively to the combined announcement of the deployment and the company’s robust financial performance. The strong earnings beat and upward guidance, coupled with the demonstration of large‑scale QKD deployment, reinforced confidence in IonQ’s ability to scale its quantum‑security offerings and expand its footprint across Europe.
The deployment positions IonQ as a leading provider in the growing quantum‑key‑distribution market, which is expanding as governments and enterprises seek quantum‑safe communications. The company’s acquisition of a controlling stake in ID Quantique in May 2025 and its ongoing participation in EuroQCI and other European initiatives underscore its commitment to building a secure quantum‑communication backbone, potentially opening new revenue streams and strengthening its competitive position against other QKD vendors.
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