EPB Joins Southeastern Quantum Collaborative to Expand Regional Innovation
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EPB has become an inaugural member of the Southeastern Quantum Collaborative (SQC), an association dedicated to advancing quantum technologies throughout the Southeast. This move underscores Chattanooga’s emergence as a hub for innovation, building on EPB’s 2023 launch of the nation’s first commercially available quantum network and the forthcoming EPB Quantum Center, which will combine quantum networking and computing access. “Quantum technology represents a significant innovation opportunity,” said Janet Rehberg, president and CEO-elect, EPB, emphasizing the company’s commitment to fostering a regional ecosystem for quantum development. By uniting universities, technology companies, and research institutions, the SQC aims to strengthen regional leadership in quantum information science and drive economic growth across the Southeast. EPB Quantum Network Enables First U.S.
Commercial Access The quantum technology center will offer commercial access to both quantum networking and quantum computing resources, a capability previously unavailable to researchers and developers. This dual access is enabled by the completion of an IonQ Forte Enterprise computer, extending the capabilities of the existing EPB Quantum Network beyond communication to encompass computational power. The network, serving EPB’s 600-square-mile area in and around Chattanooga, Tennessee, is designed to lower barriers to entry for a broad range of quantum technology development, fostering innovation beyond theoretical research. This commitment to accessibility is further underscored by EPB’s partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC); UTC became the first American university to host a node on a commercially available quantum network through its connection to the EPB Quantum Network, facilitating new research in quantum communications and networking. The collaborative spirit extends to the recently announced Institute for Quantum Innovation, a joint effort between EPB and Vanderbilt University, which aims to expand research and collaboration in quantum science and engineering. EPB’s work in quantum technology builds upon a foundation of infrastructure expertise, stemming from its operation of a nationally recognized automated grid and a community-wide fiber optic network that has already generated $5.3 billion and 10,000 jobs in its first 15 years. This experience, coupled with prior research collaborations with Oak Ridge and Los Alamos National Laboratories, positions EPB as a key player in the emerging quantum landscape. “Partners like EPB bring unique infrastructure and real-world deployment experience that will help accelerate the transition of quantum technologies from research to application,” explained Dr. Rainer Steinwandt, Dean of the UAH College of Science and Executive Director of the SQC, emphasizing the importance of practical implementation.
Southeastern Quantum Collaborative Accelerates Regional Innovation The Southeast is rapidly establishing itself as a focal point for quantum technology development, bolstered by a growing network of academic, industrial, and governmental partnerships. EPB, a Chattanooga-based energy and communications provider, recently joined the Southeastern Quantum Collaborative (SQC) as a founding member, signaling increased momentum in the region. This collaboration aims to translate quantum research into practical applications, fostering economic growth and advancements in national security, while also cultivating a skilled workforce prepared for the demands of this emerging field. EPB’s involvement is particularly noteworthy given its 2023 launch of the EPB Quantum Network, the first commercially accessible, industry-driven quantum network in the nation, which reduces obstacles to the development of diverse quantum technologies. Partners like EPB bring unique infrastructure and real-world deployment experience that will help accelerate the transition of quantum technologies from research to application. Dr. Rainer Steinwandt, Dean of the UAH College of Science and Executive Director of the SQC Source: https://quantum.epb.com/ Tags: Quantum News There is so much happening right now in the field of technology, whether AI or the march of robots. Adrian is an expert on how technology can be transformative, especially frontier technologies. But Quantum occupies a special space. Quite literally a special space. A Hilbert space infact, haha! Here I try to provide some of the news that is considered breaking news in the Quantum Computing and Quantum tech space. Latest Posts by Quantum News: Infleqtion Validates Picosecond Accuracy in Real-World Timing Demonstration April 1, 2026 Researchers Publish Findings on Practical Blind Quantum Computation April 1, 2026 H33.ai Introduces HICS to Provide Mathematically Verifiable Software Security Scores April 1, 2026