Note: This story was updated Dec. 6 to correct the title of J. Ed Marston.
The EPB Quantum Network, powered by Qubitekk, announced Tuesday it is onboarding its first customer onto the nation’s first commercial quantum network — marking the first time two hardware companies have worked together to demonstrate interoperability.
The company, called Qunnect, will work with Qubitekk to use the EPB Quantum Network to determine the ways key quantum technologies can be used across a quantum network. Both Qubitekk and Qunnect are working on developing foundational quantum technologies.
“This is the first step in our ongoing plan to utilize the quantum network to attract companies that are working to commercialize quantum technologies … to bring them to Chattanooga and validate their equipment,” EPB Vice President of Strategic Communications J. Ed Marston said in a Zoom interview Tuesday.
“This is a big deal for several reasons,” he continued. “One, it begins to show that our business model of aligning our local economy with a national priority to develop quantum technologies can attract new companies that would not otherwise run their applications in Chattanooga.”