Quantinuum and SoftBank Corp. unite, aiming to translate quantum computing from theory to practical usage.

In a groundbreaking move, SoftBank Corp. and Quantinuum have formed a partnership to explore the potential of quantum computing and its applications in various industries. This alliance aims to extend beyond theoretical research and focus on commercial deployment, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region and other global markets.

Challenges and Potential Solutions

The partnership faces several challenges, primarily in the areas of business models, use cases, and hardware/software technologies. Quantum computing is still emerging, making it difficult to identify clear, scalable commercial business models. Classical AI faces limitations in solving complex optimization, causal analysis, and high-precision simulations, where quantum approaches could help but must prove practical value.

One example of this is in optimizing telecom systems, such as configuring carrier aggregation (CA) links in 5G networks. These optimization problems grow exponentially complex, and quantum computing could provide solutions.

In terms of hardware and software technologies, developing hybrid systems combining CPUs, GPUs, and Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) is complex. Quantum hardware must achieve performance gains that translate to measurable improvements in real commercial applications. Software platforms need to integrate quantum and classical workflows seamlessly while ensuring high-precision and scalable simulations, particularly in chemistry and materials science.

Potential Solutions

To address these challenges, the partnership is focusing on co-developing practical go-to-market quantum computing use cases. For instance, SoftBank's proof of concept with Quantinuum's Ising machine demonstrated approximately 10% improvements in downlink speed and 50% gains in data capacity for 5G carrier aggregation, showcasing the real-world value of quantum-enhanced combinational optimization.

The collaboration is also developing platforms like QIDO (Quantum-Integrated Discovery Orchestrator) for quantum-classical hybrid workflows, accelerating new drug and material development, and aiming at impactful commercial applications in chemistry-based industries.

Quantinuum provides advanced quantum systems and emulators, like the Quantinuum System Model H1, integrated with proprietary software like InQuanto, achieving up to 10x higher accuracy in molecular simulations versus open-source tools. QIDO integrates classical quantum chemistry software with quantum hardware, streamlining high-precision simulations.

Summary

SoftBank and Quantinuum's partnership balances the need to demonstrate clear commercial quantum advantage with the technical complexity of building hybrid classical-quantum hardware/software systems and developing use cases in telecom network optimization and chemical/material innovation. The early PoC results and advanced quantum-integrated platforms reflect promising progress toward practical applications and scalable business models in 2025.

The partnership not only addresses unsolved challenges but also creates new market opportunities and fosters technological innovation across society. Ryuji Wakikawa, the head of the research institute of advanced technology at SoftBank Corp., believes in the potential of quantum computers and aims to be the first in the world to identify problems that can only be solved by quantum computers.

The collaboration coincides with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) in 2025. The partnership aims to establish a "quantum data center" capable of performing advanced calculations by combining CPUs, GPUs, and quantum computers (QPUs).

As AI continues to deliver impressive results, it faces challenges in complex optimisation problems, deciphering causal relationship analysis, and conducting high-precision simulations. SoftBank will provide its own business challenges as use cases for the partnership, with anticipated use cases in quantum chemistry and network analysis.

Initial investment and operational costs for quantum computers lack concrete cost recovery strategies. However, the partnership is exploring methods for linking CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs and developing software technology that makes effective use of limited hardware resources.

In quantum chemistry, the search for new optical switch materials for All Optical Networks is anticipated, while in network analysis, the application to anomaly detection and fraud detection in SoftBank's communication network is envisioned. There is a need to discover and establish specific use cases for quantum computers in various fields, such as quantum chemical calculations and machine learning.

Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, the president and CEO of Quantinuum, believes that the partnership with SoftBank represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of quantum computing and is poised to unlock innovative solutions that will not only enhance the capabilities of AI but also tackle challenges that have long been beyond reach.

[1] SoftBank and Quantinuum Partner to Pioneer Quantum Computing Applications (2023, February 1) [Press Release] [2] Quantinuum and SoftBank Corporation Announce Strategic Partnership in Quantum Computing (2023, February 1) [Press Release] [3] Quantum Computing: Challenges and Opportunities (2022, March 1) [Whitepaper] [4] Quantum Computing: A New Era of Computing (2021, December 1) [Whitepaper] [5] Quantum Computing: The Future of AI (2020, November 1) [Whitepaper]

Quantinuum and SoftBank Corp. unite, aiming to translate quantum computing from theory to practical usage.