Vodafone is to collaborate with IBM on quantum-safe cybersecurity, which will give the company cloud access to IBM’s advanced quantum computing systems.

The multinational telecoms company said it will work with IBM to help validate and progress potential quantum use cases in telecommunications.

As part of this collaboration, Vodafone will explore quantum computing for a variety of telco use cases. The company said it will also advance employee skills in quantum technology through iterative prototyping led by IBM, as well as actively recruit quantum computing experts to build a dedicated capability within its ranks.

According to IBM, future quantum computers will pose a threat to today’s standard security, such as public key encryption.

Quantum-safe cryptography protocols already exist, and the US National Institute of Standards and Technology recently announced that three IBM algorithms have been chosen to be part of a protocol for standardisation by 2024.

In Association with

Vodafone’s exploration of these protocols marks an IBM Quantum Safe first in understanding and preparing for this risk in telecommunications, the company said.

Luke Ibbetson, head of group R&D at Vodafone Group, commented: “Partnering with IBM provides us with access to quantum technology which has the potential to provide incredible network optimisation.

“It’s the sort of innovation that existing computers will never achieve alone, allowing us to save energy, reduce costs and give customer great connectivity in more places.

“Investing in quantum-safe cryptography also gives us the peace of mind that our infrastructure and customer data will also always be secure as we explore the benefits of quantum computing,”

IBM and Vodafone are also among initial members of the recently announced GSMA Post-Quantum Telco Network Taskforce, whose mission is to help define policy, regulation and operator business processes for the enhanced protection of telecommunications in a future of advanced quantum computing.

Vodafone joins more than 200 members of the IBM Quantum Network, a global community of corporates, start-ups, academic institutions, and research labs working to advance quantum computing and explore practical applications.