Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1498067
2 NEWS 27.4.2023 PROFESSOR André Xuereb, an estab- lished researcher in quantum physics, has announced the launch of the PRISM (Physical Security for Public Infrastruc- ture in Malta) project. is is an ambitious project that aims to set up the very first quantum com- munication network in Malta, spanning the entire country. is project is one of a group of 26 intended to create an ultra secure com- munications network throughout the European Union. e project is made up of a consor- tium coordinated by RSM Malta; the members are Merqury Cybersecurity Limited; Melita Limited; the University of Malta; Umnai Limited; the Critical Infrastructure Protection Directorate within the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality; and the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA). e initial funding for the project is €11.6 million, of which €5.8 million has been committed by the European Com- mission as part of the Digital Europe Programme 2021-2027, in terms of de- signing, developing and deploying the EUROQCI, which consists of a terres- trial segment relying on fibre communi- cations networks linking strategic sites at national and cross-border level and a space segment based on satellites. Such a project will be an integral part of the new Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satel- lite (IRIS2) making it a highly ambitious project that will put Malta on the quan- tum technologies map. e Digital Europe Programme is an EU funding programme focused on making Europe more digital and bring- ing digital technology to businesses, cit- izens, and public administration. rough the project, ground-breaking quantum cryptography technology and associated hardware will be developed that will ensure digital information is secure against any potential attack, known or unknown, now and in the fu- ture. As Xuereb explained, problematic cy- bersecurity is a threat to the EU, its val- ues, and its existence. Over the past few years, Europe has been at the forefront of developing in- novative, quantum cybersecurity solu- tions. With the creation of Merqury Cyber- security Limited, Malta will be estab- lished as a global leader in the field of quantum cryptography. Today the gold standard of data en- cryption is achieved using mathemat- ical algorithms which, given enough time and computing power, can be de- feated. Using quantum mechanics to protect data before it is sent over the internet guarantees that the data cannot be eavesdropped upon or even intercepted and stored for future decryption – re- gardless of the future technological de- velopments. PRISM will involve building a network of about 20 secured connections on the Melita fibre network across Malta and onwards to Sicily via the Melita under- sea fibre cable. In the second phase of the EU-wide initiative, scheduled to start in 2025, the Maltese network will be connected to similar quantum networks in neigh- bouring EU states. e third phase will involve quantum satellites for covering distances across all EU states. More information is available at www. prism-euroqci.eu Prof. André Xuereb One of the world's most ambitious quantum networks to be built in Malta BRITISH regulators on Wednesday blocked Microsoft's $69 billion pur- chase of video game maker Activi- sion Blizzard, thwarting the biggest tech deal in history over worries that it would stifle competition in the fast-growing cloud gaming market. e UK's Competition and Markets Authority said in its final report that "the only effective remedy" to the sub- stantial loss of competition "is to pro- hibit the Merger." e companies have vowed to appeal. e all-cash deal faced stiff opposi- tion from rival Sony and was also being scrutinized by regulators in the U.S. and Europe over fears that it would give Microsoft control of popular game franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush. e UK watchdog's concerns cen- tered on how the deal would affect competition in cloud gaming, which involves streaming games to tablets, phones and other devices. at frees players from the need to buy expensive consoles and gaming computers. Cloud gaming has the potential to change the industry by giving people more choice over how and where they play, said Martin Colman, chair of the Competition and Markets Authority's independent expert panel investigating the deal. "is means that it is vital that we protect competition in this emerging and exciting market," he said. Microsoft said it was disappointed and signaled it wasn't ready to give up. "We remain fully committed to this acquisition and will appeal," President Brad Smith said in a statement. He said the watchdog's decision "rejects a pragmatic path to address competition concerns" and discourages tech inno- vation and investment in the United Kingdom. "We're especially disappointed that after lengthy deliberations, this deci- sion appears to reflect a flawed under- standing of this market and the way the relevant cloud technology actually works," Smith said. Activision also fired back, saying it would "work aggressively with Micro- soft to reverse this on appeal." Regulators had dropped concerns last month that the deal would hurt con- sole gaming, saying it wouldn't benefit Microsoft to make Call of Duty exclu- sive to its Xbox console. e watchdog said Wednesday that it reviewed Microsoft's proposals to ease competition concerns "in considerable depth" but found those solutions would require its oversight, whereas prevent- ing the merger would allow cloud gam- ing to develop without intervention. Microsoft already has a strong po- sition in the cloud computing market and regulators concluded that if the deal went through, it would reinforce the company's advantage by giving it control of key game titles. UK blocks Microsoft's $69 billion deal to buy game giant Activision Blizzard British regulators have blocked Microsoft's $69 billion deal to buy the video game maker over worries that it would stifle competition in the cloud gaming market