The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), in collaboration with government and industry partners, has today launched a UK Quantum Standards Network Pilot to ensure the UK is at the forefront of establishing global standards for quantum.

The network pilot is a collaboration involving NPL, BSI, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), UKQuantum, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). It will provide a focal point on standards for UK industry, helping overcome barriers to the realisation of the potential of quantum technologies in applications ranging from healthcare and finance to defence and communications.

New and emerging quantum technologies have the potential to achieve a technological paradigm shift across a range of applications – such as increased information processing power, secure communications, high-precision navigation and earlier diagnosis of diseases.

However, in order to realise the benefits of quantum technologies and enable the UK to become ‘a leading quantum-enabled economy’, as set out in the UK Government’s National Quantum Strategy, there is a need for globally agreed standards and regulations.

Well-crafted, consensus-based standards will help the quantum industry to develop efficient supply chains and also build confidence in customers and other stakeholders to invest in and use new quantum-based applications and technologies. By engaging with UK stakeholders in quantum technologies, the network pilot will encourage direct involvement in standards development, to shape standards that will influence expectations for the global quantum industry.

The network pilot will:

• Inform the UK community of activities, progress and opportunities to contribute to the standardisation of quantum technologies
• Input into proposals and draft standards, discussing UK standards policy and strategy and representing the UK as an expert
• Develop roadmaps for the standards requirements of emerging applications of quantum technologies, informing decisions on key collaborations and partnerships with other nations and organisations
• Enable the UK to coordinate strategic priorities and drive focussed engagement on the standards important to the UK

The long-term aim of the pilot is to evolve into a centre that coordinates the UK’s engagement with international standards, ensuring that the UK continues to be at the forefront of the quantum revolution.

Rhys Lewis, Head of Quantum Programmes at NPL, said, “As set out in the UK quantum strategy, a coordinated approach to standardisation is an essential element for the successful realisation and adoption of quantum technologies. This network pilot will be a major component in maintaining the UK as a world leader and influencer in this exciting and game changing field. The coordinated approach, tested and developed in the pilot, will be a significant input into a future UK Quantum Standard Centre.”

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