Vodafone and quantum computing company ORCA Computing have partnered to explore the use of quantum technology to identify routes for upgrading and extending fixed and mobile broadband connections to more customers. Through this collaboration, Vodafone’s software will be run on ORCA Computing’s quantum computer — the ORCA PT-2 Series photonic quantum system. Vodafone will initially assess ORCA’s quantum technology for solving complex optical fiber cable design challenges.

The solutions generated by the quantum system could, for example, help reduce total cable length and optimize the location of mobile base stations to maximize speed and minimize major civil engineering work. As networks continue to grow in size and complexity, the ability to plan and optimize them to be the fastest and most cost-effective solutions becomes increasingly difficult. Quantum computing, with its potential to handle more complex processing tasks than traditional computers, could pose a way to more efficiently plan, install, and optimize large mobile radio and gigabit broadband networks.

Per the agreement, 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. 

Over time, according to Vodafone, it 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.