Tehran – The first national quantum network is scheduled to be launched by staff members of the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at the beginning of the next Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2026) (ICT).
Quantum Technology is a rapidly growing sector that serves as a fundamental pillar of the development of science, industry, safety and information technology around the world, Mehr’s news outlet quotes Davood Ranjbar as saying.
Many countries, such as the US, China, Russia, and Germany, have invested heavily in quantum technology. He added that Iran is now making progress in this field by placing strategic projects on the agenda.
Supported by the Ministry of ICT, atomic energy organizations, and knowledge-based companies, the national project to design and implement Iran’s first quantum network began through a comparative study of programmes in developed countries, officials noted.
In July, President Masuud Pezeskian declared the implementation of the “National Document on Quantum Science and Technology.”
This document is a comprehensive set of key objectives, valuation indicators, national strategies, implementation and surveillance mechanisms, and the IRNA cited Abdolhassan Bahrami, a vice presidential officer in the science, technology and knowledge-based economy.
It was developed as a roadmap for research progress, technology expansion and commercialization of quantum technology, officials added.
The line will establish the Quantum Science and Technology Headquarters to strengthen coordination among relevant organizations, develop implementation roadmap, pursue regulatory development, observe national and global progress, and propose amendments to amend the documents.
To implement the document, the Vice President will work with other relevant agencies to first provide a national plan for the Labor Department of Quantum Science and Technology. It can then support application development, commercialization and knowledge-based companies to maximize their domestic innovative capabilities.
Rankings of Iran in quantum science and technology
Data released by Web of Science (WOS) in 2024 shows that Iran’s rankings in quantum science and technology publications have improved from 23 in 2014 to 16 in 2023, bringing the country to the top of all Islamic countries in the field of quantum technology.
In the past decade, the country’s highest ranking in quantum technology is 15 years old from 2019 to 2021, the IRNA reported.
Quantum technology includes three main categories: quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and measurement.
Quantum computing includes photonic networks, superconducting circuits, spin qubits, neutral (cold) atoms, and trap ions. Quantum communication includes quantum key distributions, quantum telemetry, quantum repeaters, and sensors. Quantum sensing includes quantum clocks, quantum imaging, and quantum radar.
Iran’s best global ranking is quantum remote sensing technology. This country ranks eighth in the world.
Other global rankings of the country include Photonic Network Technologies, 17. Superconducting circuits, 18; spin qubit, 16; neutral (cold) atoms, 21; confined ions, 19; quantum key distribution, 24; quantum repeaters, 26; quantum clocks, 12; quantum imaging, 14; and quantum radar, 15.
Yazm Remote Sensing, Yazd University, Tehran University and Mohakek University Aldebili University were ranked 1st to 3rd place respectively. Yazd University was first ranked on the Quantum Repeater.
Shahed University; University of Tehran and Imam Khomeini International University were first ranked in superconducting circuits, spin kits and nuclear atoms, respectively.
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