BT grants first-ever access to flagship test facility to UK SME Sitehop for quantum encryption trial

BT has opened its test and integration facility, the largest in Europe, to cybersecurity innovator Sitehop to test its quantum-resistant encryption technology on the replica BT network, in a first of its kind proof-of-concept.

Opening its doors to the test and integration facility (a platform traditionally reserved for BT’s internal development), BT is exploring how it can support the UK’s telecoms ecosystem by giving SME technology innovators access to its test environment. A barrier to entry to market for SMEs can be assuring trust in technology products when they are put into a live network. In a bid to lower the barrier to market entry, BT is exploring the potential of issuing ‘Safe to Connect’ certification for SMEs whose technologies demonstrate robust performance and security within BT’s live network replica.

Peter Bell, Managing Director of International Business and Managing Director of Adastral Park, BT, said: "Supporting SMEs is vital for the UK’s economic growth and innovation. As a national champion for the UK, a key mission for BT is to help our customers build stronger, smarter, more secure businesses. An important part of this is helping innovative domestic companies to enter the market, to support supply chain sovereignty and help businesses to grow.  With the right support or partnerships and commercial models, we see there is potential for BT’s test and integration facilities to serve as a “UK PLC” test facility that accelerates mission-led, high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) innovations, contributing to a sovereign and secure UK telecoms sector."

Sitehop, the first SME granted access to BT's facility, renowned for its high-speed, low-latency encryption solutions, has successfully showcased the capabilities of its post-quantum cryptography hardware. Proving a reduction in packet loss and improved latency, the proof of concept demonstrated that the Sitehop SAFE Series Network Encryption Solution could run at 90Gbps, while reducing power consumption by 75% compared to other alternatives. It also demonstrated simplified configuration—needing just two clicks for deployment—making it both secure and scalable.

Already live with a Tier 1 carrier across seven countries, Sitehop’s encryption technology is future-proofed with ‘crypto agility’—enabling remote firmware upgrades as standards evolve—and built on open IPsec protocols to avoid vendor lock-in. Crucially, it addresses the emerging quantum threat posed by 'harvest now, decrypt later' strategies.

Melissa Chambers, founder and CEO of Sheffield-based Sitehop, said: "This is a big moment that validates UK sovereign innovation can play a central role in the country's digital infrastructure. We're proving networks don't have to sacrifice performance for security."

BT’s collaboration with Sitehop underscores its mission to catalyse innovation across the UK telecoms ecosystem. With the Government reaffirming its commitment to quantum as one of six “frontier technologies” for securing long-term economic growth, collaboration across the quantum ecosystem to develop quantum secure, scalable networks will be key to underpinning the quantum enabled economy.

With over a decade of research in quantum-safe cryptography - including both Post Quantum Cryptography and Quantum Key Distribution - BT is committed to fostering partnerships that secure tomorrow’s networks. The initiative reflects BT’s ambition to strengthen the UK’s digital backbone by supporting domestic innovators and lowering barriers to market entry for small businesses. It exemplifies how large and small/medium organisations can collaborate to protect the country’s national infrastructure and accelerate the UK’s quantum-enabled economy.