IBM and Cisco Plan to Build Network of Large-Scale, Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computers

IBM and Cisco jointly unveiled a landmark collaboration to develop a network of large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers, with the first demonstration targeted by the early 2030s.

“At IBM, our roadmap includes plans to deliver large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers before the end of the decade. By working with Cisco to explore how to link multiple quantum computers like these together into a distributed network, we will pursue how to further scale quantum’s computational power. And as we build the future of compute, our vision will push the frontiers of what quantum computers can do within a larger high-performance computing architecture,” said Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow.

Under this partnership, IBM will contribute its leadership in scalable quantum hardware, while Cisco will bring its expertise in networking to link disparate quantum processing units (QPUs) into a distributed system.

The two firms aim to deliver a proof-of-concept within five years, entangling qubits from separate cryogenic quantum computers — potentially enabling computations using tens or even hundreds of thousands of qubits, executing trillions of quantum gates.

“IBM is building quantum computers with aggressive roadmaps for scale-up, and we are bringing quantum networking that enables scale-out. Together, we are solving this as a complete system problem, including the hardware to connect quantum computers, the software to run computations across them, and the networking intelligence that makes them work," said Vijoy Pandey, GM/SVP at Outshift by Cisco.

A key technical challenge is converting “stationary” qubits — kept in superconducting cryogenic environments — into “flying” qubits (microwave signals) that can be transmitted via optical networks.

To achieve this, IBM and Cisco will jointly develop microwave-to-optical transducers, build a quantum networking unit (QNU) that interfaces with QPUs, and design open-source software to manage entanglement distribution and synchronisation across the network.

Cisco envisions a full quantum data-centre architecture, with quantum network nodes that can dynamically configure entanglement paths, teleport quantum states, and maintain operations with sub-nanosecond precision.

The ultimate ambition of this collaboration extends far beyond a quantum cluster: the partners are laying foundational work for a quantum internet by the late 2030s, connecting quantum computers, sensors, and secure quantum communications across cities — or even globally.

To accelerate this ecosystem, IBM and Cisco also plan to co-fund academic research and collaborative projects, especially with national labs like the SQMS Center led by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

At its annual Quantum Developer Conference in Atlanta, IBM introduced two cutting-edge processors—Quantum Nighthawk and Quantum Loon—alongside major software and algorithmic upgrades.