IBM and Cisco Partner to Build Networked Quantum Computing Infrastructure

Details

• IBM and Cisco have announced a strategic partnership to develop a distributed network of large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers, targeting initial deployment in the early 2030s with a proof-of-concept by the end of 2030.
• The initiative brings together IBM’s expertise in quantum hardware and fault tolerance, Cisco’s strengths in quantum networking, and collaborations with key partners such as Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory’s Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems (SQMS) Center.
• The collaboration will focus on advancing hardware—including microwave-optical transducers and quantum networking unit interfaces—alongside the software and infrastructure necessary to connect multiple quantum computers across separate cryogenic environments.
• This builds on IBM’s roadmap to deliver its first fault-tolerant quantum computer, IBM Quantum Starling, with over 200 logical qubits by 2029, capable of running more than 100 million quantum gates.
• The long-term vision is to establish a quantum computing internet by the late 2030s, enabling new applications in optimization, materials science, drug discovery, and climate research through interconnected quantum systems and networks.

Impact

This collaboration marks a pivotal transition from isolated quantum machines toward integrated quantum infrastructure, positioning IBM and Cisco as leaders in shaping the future of networked quantum computing. Industry focus is shifting from pure research to systems engineering, setting the stage for practical quantum advantage in applications like optimization and molecular simulation. Expect other tech giants to announce quantum networking initiatives within the next 12 to 24 months.