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."
(READ MORE: Quantum technologies to be tested in Chattanooga)
In the broader scope, he said, the hope is that the companies may decide to establish business here on a more permanent basis.
EPB is Chattanooga's municipal utility that delivers energy and connectivity services to the city and the surrounding area. In 2010, the company completed a 100% fiber optic network accessible to all customers as the basis for launching America's first communitywide gig-speed internet. In 2022, it established the nation's first commercially available quantum network — EPB Quantum Network powered by Qubitekk — with a goal of increasing commercialization alongside local job creation efforts.
"It's especially appropriate for us to have the opportunity to work with Qunnect as our first customer because together we're demonstrating the collaborative spirit that's necessary to accelerate the development of quantum technologies into commercial application," EPB President and CEO David Wade said in a news release. "By working with pioneering companies like Qunnect, we're positioning Chattanooga as a destination for quantum developers to run, develop and validate their equipment and applications."
In the release, Qubitekk President and co-founder Duncan Earl called the collaboration a "great representation of how the quantum industry can play a leading role in driving quantum technology from the lab to practical commercial application."
Danna Bailey, chief communications director for Qubitekk, said the company collaboration is a pivotal moment in that it is the first time two quantum hardware companies have come together to demonstrate interoperability. Until recently, most quantum technology development has been focused on research and not practical application.
"The state of quantum technology is somewhat fragmented, so you've got different companies and scientists building their technologies in their own corners," Bailey said on a Zoom call. "For them to become viable, companies and national labs are going to have to come together. ... This is one step in the process of building protocols and testing interoperability in different corners of the country. "
EPB and Qunnect share the vision of building quantum networks that can enable the foundation of the quantum internet and foster solutions possible through quantum technology development, Qunnect CEO Noel Goddard said in the release.
"Running our equipment on EPB Quantum Network is a unique opportunity to demonstrate interoperability between quantum component providers on a dedicated commercial network infrastructure," Goddard said.
Qunnect's hardware powers GothamQ, a 50-kilometer network in New York City. EPB Quantum Network's 8-kilometer loop has a capacity for 10 quantum interconnected user nodes across downtown Chattanooga, using commercial equipment designed and manufactured by Qubitekk.
Contact Jennifer McNally at jmcnally@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6416.