Optech and Numana Join Forces to Advance Innovation in Quantum Communications

Optech, specializing in the development of products and processes in optical photonics and quantum technologies, is proud to announce a strategic collaboration with Numana, the catalyst for technology ecosystems in Québec. This alliance aims to support companies seeking to explore, optimize, and develop quantum communication technologies.

Through this collaboration, companies wishing to use Numana’s Kirq quantum communication testbed will simultaneously benefit from Optech’s unique expertise. The Kirq testbed, located in Sherbrooke, Montréal, and soon Québec City, provides access to real-world optical fiber infrastructures supplied by Bell and TELUS, as well as specialized equipment from Ciena, Nokia, IDQ, Crypto4A, and Toshiba. It enables links ranging from 10 to 70 km to configure various quantum communication technology topologies and quantum-safe networks—a first in Canada. The testbed allows companies and organizations to test quantum systems and applications for telecom networks, integrating new quantum key distribution (QKD) technologies without disrupting existing digital infrastructures.

Companies will now be able to collaborate with Optech to develop photonics-based products and solutions, complementing the tests conducted simultaneously on the Kirq testbed. This collaboration will help address technology integration challenges and accelerate the experimental development of new products. It opens new opportunities not only to test and validate strategies on the testbed, but also to develop new quantum and classical photonic technologies within Optech’s facilities while operating in real-world conditions.

While the Sherbrooke testbed is already operational, Numana also plans to soon open additional testbeds in Montréal and Québec City, further strengthening Québec’s quantum technology ecosystem.

About Optech

Optech is an organization specializing in the experimental development of products and processes based on optical photonics. For more than 20 years, Optech has supported companies across multiple sectors in their innovation efforts by integrating optical and photonic technologies at every stage of product development.

Optech’s expertise extends across Québec with two hubs: the main development center in Montréal and a second hub in La Pocatière.

About Numana

Numana is a technology ecosystem catalyst in Québec. Its mission is to accelerate innovation and growth in the technology sector through the development of strategic collaborations, the creation of cutting-edge infrastructures such as the Kirq testbed, and support for the emergence of new technologies.