IonQ Completes Skyloom Acquisition: Building Foundation for Scalable Quantum Networking
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Quantum computing leader IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) has completed its acquisition of Skyloom Global Corp., a move poised to dramatically accelerate the development of scalable quantum networking. The transaction, finalized January 28, 2026, brings together IonQ’s quantum computing prowess with Skyloom’s expertise in lightwave-optics and secure communications. “Completing the Skyloom acquisition is another important step as we build the foundation for scalable quantum networking,” said Niccolo de Masi, IonQ’s Chairman and CEO. This acquisition strengthens IonQ’s roadmap for quantum key distribution and ultra-secure connectivity, adding critical technology layers for distributed quantum entanglement and expanding its reach into government, aerospace, and defense sectors. IonQ Completes Acquisition of Skyloom Global Corp. IonQ’s strategic expansion into quantum networking received a significant boost on January 28, 2026, with the finalized acquisition of Skyloom Global Corp., a U.S.-based firm specializing in lightwave-optics technology. This move, initially announced in November 2025, isn’t merely about expanding IonQ’s portfolio; it’s a calculated step towards building a fully integrated quantum communications infrastructure. Skyloom’s expertise in free-space optical communications, photonic systems engineering, and secure data transmission directly addresses critical gaps in IonQ’s roadmap, promising accelerated progress in quantum key distribution and resilient connectivity solutions. The company has already developed advanced optical terminals designed for high-bandwidth, low-latency performance. The acquisition strengthens IonQ’s position by adding a team with proven capabilities, as Skyloom CEO Marc Eisenberg and his management team will continue to lead the business, aligning with IonQ’s technical direction. IonQ now possesses all the necessary technological layers for distributed quantum entanglement and ultra-secure connectivity, building upon previous acquisitions including Capella Space, Lightsynq, a super-majority stake in ID Quantique and Vector Atomic. This consolidation aims to support ongoing government and industry collaborations, extending IonQ’s reach into national security, aerospace, and defense sectors. Free-Space Optics Enhance Quantum Networking Capabilities IonQ’s completion of its acquisition of Skyloom Global Corp. on January 28, 2026, marks a significant leap forward in the development of robust quantum networks, leveraging the power of free-space optical communications. The company has developed advanced optical terminals intended to deliver high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity, vital for applications demanding both speed and security, particularly within government, aerospace, and defense sectors. This strategic move positions IonQ to integrate Skyloom’s technology with its existing portfolio, encompassing quantum computing, sensing, and security technologies, to tackle complex challenges in national security, scientific research, and enterprise solutions. Furthermore, the acquisition is expected to support ongoing collaborations with both government and industry partners, expanding IonQ’s capacity to provide comprehensive end-to-end quantum networking solutions. Completing the Skyloom acquisition is another important step as we build the foundation for scalable quantum networking.Niccolo de Masi, IonQ’s Chairman and CEO 99% Two-Qubit Gate Fidelity Achieved in 2025 IonQ reached a pivotal milestone in 2025, demonstrating 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity—a new world record in quantum computing performance. This achievement signifies a substantial leap toward reliable and scalable quantum computation, addressing a critical hurdle in the field: maintaining the delicate quantum states necessary for complex calculations. Higher gate fidelity directly translates to fewer errors during computations, enabling more intricate algorithms to run successfully. The company’s advancements are poised to accelerate innovation across multiple sectors, including drug discovery, materials science, and financial modeling. This breakthrough builds upon IonQ’s lineage of cutting-edge systems, with the forthcoming IonQ Tempo expected to continue pushing the boundaries of quantum capabilities. The company currently supports partners like Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA, and is expanding its reach into areas like logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s platform is now accessible through all major cloud providers, and the company also caters to networking and sensing customers operating across land, sea, air, and space. The company maintains a global presence with over 1,300 employees across eleven international locations. Source: https://www.ionq.com/news/ionq-completes-acquisition-of-skyloom-expanding-quantum-networking-and-secure-communications-capabilities Tags: Quantum News As the Official Quantum Dog (or hound) by role is to dig out the latest nuggets of quantum goodness. There is so much happening right now in the field of technology, whether AI or the march of robots. 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 might be considered breaking news in the Quantum Computing space. Latest Posts by Quantum News: SEALSQ to Showcase Post-Quantum Cybersecurity Solutions at Tech&Fest 2026 in Grenoble January 28, 2026 Options Technology Launches First Commercial Quantum Compute Platform for NYC Capital Markets January 28, 2026 ASML Announces Streamlining of Tech & IT to Boost Engineering Focus in 2026 January 28, 2026