Quantinuum teams up with SoftBank Corp. to bring quantum computing from theory to practical use
SoftBank and Quantinuum Partner to Advance Quantum Computing Applications
In an exciting development, SoftBank Corp. and Quantinuum have joined forces to explore business models and use cases centred on quantum computing applications. This partnership aims to reduce investment risks, identify practical uses, and develop advanced software technologies, with a focus on improving telecommunications network performance and expanding quantum software capabilities.
The collaboration is significant as it comes during the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) in 2025. Both companies believe that this partnership could unlock innovative solutions, create new market opportunities, and foster technological innovation across society.
One of the key areas of focus for the partnership is reducing investment risks and identifying practical applications. SoftBank’s proof-of-concept (PoC) in Tokyo demonstrates quantum computing’s potential to optimize radio access network (RAN) performance in 5G. By applying an Ising machine—a hybrid quantum-classical processor—to optimize carrier aggregation settings among base stations, SoftBank achieved about a 10% improvement in downlink speed and up to a 50% increase in transmission capacity.
The partnership also targets complex combinational optimization problems such as configuring carrier aggregation links. The problem complexity grows exponentially as network size increases, making classical optimization prohibitive. Quantum-inspired approaches help identify near-optimal CA link configurations efficiently, which can significantly enhance network coverage and performance.
In addition to these practical use cases, the partnership also aims to develop quantum software technology. SoftBank has invested in quantum software companies like Classiq, which develops quantum operating systems enabling complex algorithms to run on different types of quantum hardware. Classiq’s OS is hardware-agnostic and is used by major Japanese corporations, giving SoftBank strategic entry into government and large enterprise ecosystems through quantum software.
Quantinuum, on the other hand, provides advanced quantum systems and software tools, including fault-tolerant quantum error correction protocols that lower qubit overhead and improve system reliability. These advancements aim to accelerate practical quantum computing deployment and software development environments, enabling partners like SoftBank to exploit robust, scalable quantum processing.
Both companies will also develop software technology that makes effective use of limited hardware resources and explore methods for linking CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs. Hybrid systems combining CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs can extend AI capabilities by utilizing the unique strengths of each processing unit. AI struggles with complex optimisation problems, deciphering causal relationship analysis, and high-precision simulations based on fundamental equations, areas where quantum computers excel.
However, there are challenges to be addressed. Initial investment and operational costs for quantum computers lack concrete cost recovery strategies. Predicting the timing and scale of these applications is also important. The partnership aims to conduct global market research in the Asia-Pacific region and other regions, and explore specific business models for the quantum data center.
In conclusion, the partnership between SoftBank and Quantinuum represents a significant step forward in the development and application of quantum computing. By focusing on practical use cases, developing quantum software technology, and exploring hybrid systems, the partnership aims to reduce investment risks, advance enabling technology layers, and demonstrate the practical benefits of quantum computing.
SoftBank and Quantinuum are working together to explore quantum computing applications, with a focus on developing advanced software technologies that could exploit the unique strengths of quantum computers in areas such as high-precision simulations and complex optimization problems. The alliance also aims to create efficient software that makes effective use of limited hardware resources and develop hybrid systems combining CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs for extending AI capabilities.
In this partnership, both companies are putting emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), believing that combining the capabilities of AI with the unique strengths of quantum computers could pave the way for new insights and solutions in complex optimisation problems, deciphering causal relationship analysis, and high-precision simulations based on fundamental equations.
