Amsterdam, The Netherlands — As Europe continues to advance towards a global Quantum Internet, GÉANT and the Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration across quantum networking technologies, infrastructure and ecosystem development.

Signed at GÉANT offices in Amsterdam on 8 September 2026, the MoU aims to promote knowledge exchange, encourage interoperability and strengthen links between quantum technology research and innovation and the wider European research and education networking community. Under the agreement, GÉANT and QIA will support the transition of quantum networking technologies from laboratory prototypes towards field-trial and potentially cross-border network environments.

GÉANT CEO Lise Fuhr and QIA Director Stephanie Wehner signing a MoU between the two organisations

The collaboration will draw on the complementary strengths of both organisations, with GÉANT bringing decades of experience in procuring, operating and maintaining networking infrastructure, cross-border connectivity, federation, operational practice and community coordination, and QIA contributing expertise across the quantum networking value chain, from technology development and system integration to pilot deployments, industrialisation and the growth of Europe’s quantum internet ecosystem.

Through the GÉANT Association, the agreement brings European National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) and their communities closer to Quantum Internet developments, strengthening their role, reducing duplication and fragmentation, and aligning efforts, standards and practices.

For QIA, the agreement offers an opportunity to draw on GÉANT’s extensive experience in operating pan-European network infrastructure and serving diverse user communities, helping to accelerate the development, deployment and adoption of quantum internet technologies across Europe.

“GÉANT and European NRENs have an important role to play in developing quantum networking in Europe. Combining the complementary strengths of GÉANT, our community of NRENs, and the QIA, we contribute to transformative advancements in Europe’s quantum ecosystem,” said GÉANT CEO Lise Fuhr.

“QIA’s mission is to realise a global Quantum Internet made in Europe. As part of this mission, it is important to establish the ecosystem covering the entire value chain. I am excited to connect our members with Europe’s research and education networking community. GÉANT and European NRENs will play an important role, and working together creates new opportunities to operationalise quantum networking, validate ideas, explore future use cases and help accelerate progress towards our mission,” QIA Director Stephanie Wehner noted.

The MoU sets out a framework for GÉANT and QIA to strengthen their engagement and exchange expertise across a range of areas of mutual interest. This includes exploring how network infrastructure and test environments can support the development and validation of quantum internet technologies, as well as opportunities for field trials and demonstrations in realistic network settings.

The agreement also provides a basis for dialogue on systems, software and network architectures, specifically on interoperability and the operational requirements of deploying emerging technologies.

Lastly, GÉANT and QIA will engage their communities to explore use cases, encourage wider participation and exchange views on the future of quantum networking in Europe. This will include knowledge exchange between QIA technical teams and GÉANT community structures such as SIG-Quantum, the QIA Technology Forum, coordination on topics of shared strategic interest, and contributions to relevant European initiatives and policy frameworks.

About GÉANT

GÉANT is Europe’s leading collaboration on network and related infrastructure and services for the benefit of research and education, contributing to Europe’s economic growth and competitiveness. The organisation develops, delivers, and promotes advanced network and associated e-infrastructure services, and supports innovation and knowledge-sharing amongst its members, partners, and the wider research and education networking community.

For more information, visit geant.org

For more information, visit geant.org

About Quantum Internet Alliance

The European Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) is a partnership of 50+ world-leading institutions on a mission to build a global Quantum Internet made in Europe. By combining QIA’s diverse interdisciplinary team, QIA drives an innovative European platform for Quantum Internet development. In the near-term, QIA builds a full-stack prototype network that has the potential to become the first of its kind in the world.

Led by TU Delft, QIA currently consists of academic institutions, telecom operators, system integrators and quantum technology start-ups across 12 European member states.

For more information, visit quantuminternetalliance.org