Vodafone Partners With ORCA Computing to Model Future Networks in Minutes Using Quantum Technology

Business Wire

2 days ago

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vodafone and ORCA Computing, a leading quantum computing company, today announced a collaboration to explore the use of quantum technology in identifying the fastest and most cost-effective routes for upgrading and extending fixed and mobile broadband connections to more customers.
Quantum computing has the potential to handle more complex processing tasks than a traditional computer when planning, installing and optimising large mobile radio and gigabit broadband networks.
As the size and complexity of networks grow alongside demand for new digital services, Vodafone is collaborating with ORCA Computing to enhance current mathematical methods used to approximate optimal network layouts. Vodafone's software will be run on ORCA Computing's quantum computer – the ORCA PT-2 Series photonic quantum system. The solutions generated by the quantum system could, for example, help reduce total cable length and optimise the location of mobile base stations to maximise speed and minimise major civil engineering work.
Vodafone will initially assess ORCA's quantum technology for solving complex optical fibre cable design challenges. Over time, Vodafone expects to use quantum principles more widely when modelling its global network which spans more than 200 destinations, including an undersea cable network transporting around 1/6 of the world's internet traffic, and a new direct-to-mobile broadband satellite communications system.
The partnership with ORCA Computing, headquartered in the UK and with offices in Canada and the US, supports Vodafone's strategy to enhance and extend its networks using greater automation and powerful new computing technologies. The company anticipates that quantum computing will improve the accuracy of network optimisation, as well as accelerate the use of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence to predict faults before they impact customers.
Luke Ibbetson, Head of Research & Development of Vodafone, said: ' Our work with ORCA Computing aims to solve ultra-complex problems which otherwise would take many hours, weeks and even years to process on today's classical computers. Modelling new networks that maximise speed, reliability and coverage for customers, while navigating urban clutter and rural obstacles, could in future take minutes.'
James Fletcher, Head of Solutions Architecture at ORCA Computing, added: 'ORCA Computing's continued collaboration with the Vodafone team marks an important step toward achieving practical and commercial quantum advantage. We have shown that quantum acceleration of telecommunications use cases is not just a theoretical concept, it's a viable, deployable and commercially compelling solution.'
The Vodafone – ORCA Computing partnership builds on the joint UK government and private sector Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP). At a recent QTAP event, Vodafone worked with ORCA Computing and other industry partners to quickly solve the Steiner Tree Problem, a complex mathematical challenge used today to identify the most cost-efficient way to extend connectivity. Vodafone used the ORCA PT-2 quantum computer to run an optimisation algorithm to work out a particular equation problem in minutes, paving the way for these systems to quickly solve problems that would otherwise take hours using classical computers.
Notes to Editors
Under the Letter of Intent (LOI), Vodafone and ORCA Computing will complement their continued research into network planning with the development of additional algorithms and well-defined test projects with specific goals and timelines. Both parties will then evaluate a deeper commercial relationship based on the results.
Today's announcement supports ORCA Computing's dedication to accelerating the global adoption of quantum computing. The company continues to broaden its footprint through the deployment of PT Series quantum systems to global partners, while also leading initiatives for major government and enterprise clients.
More information on Vodafone's quantum computing work can be found here: https://www.vodafone.com/about-vodafone/what-we-do/quantum-computing.
About Vodafone Group
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Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company. We provide mobile and fixed services to over 340 million customers in 15 countries, partner with mobile networks in over 45 more and have one of the world's largest IoT platforms. In Africa, our financial technology businesses serve almost 83 million customers across seven countries – managing more transactions than any other provider.
Our purpose is to connect for a better future by using technology to improve lives, businesses and help progress inclusive sustainable societies. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact to reach net zero emissions by 2040.
For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com follow us on X at @VodafoneGroup or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone.
About ORCA Computing
ORCA Computing, headquartered in London, UK, with offices in the United States, is a leading developer and provider of full-stack photonic quantum computing systems. The company delivers an innovative approach to quantum computing, providing robust, high-performance, and data center-standard systems for machine learning, generative AI and optimization workloads. ORCA Computing has successfully delivered ten on-premises quantum computers to leading global customers, including the UK National Quantum Computing Centre, Montana State University, and the Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center.
For more information, please visit https://orcacomputing.com.