Quantum Networking is the Missing Link to Scale Quantum Computing - Electronic Design

EmbeddedQuantum Networking: The Missing Link to Scale Quantum ComputingQuantum computing’s next major breakthrough may come from distributed quantum, which connects together multiple smaller quantum processors.Charles FoleyRelated To: memQSept. 28, 20264 min read Add Us On Google What you’ll learn: Why connecting multiple quantum processors may be a more practical path to scale than building one massive machine. How distributed quantum computing could matter to businesses as the technology moves toward commercialization.

Add Us On GooglememQ 6aba6f2c6572fc384e615010 PromoOne of the biggest technology trends in 2026 involves the awareness that quantum computing has moved beyond the phase of scientific theory into technological reality. Governments, research institutions, and venture firms are investing heavily in the technology — $4B in the last year alone — with an eye on unlocking its potential to solve problems beyond the reach of today's most powerful computers. While much of the conversation focuses on quantum milestones such as increasing qubit counts or the eventual impact of "Q-Day," the quantum industry's next major breakthrough will likely not come from building a single, massive quantum computer. Instead, it will involve connecting many quantum computers together. A look at the evolution of supercomputing and high-performance computing (HPC) shows that computing no longer scales by making a single system bigger. The HPC market illustrates a clear evolution from the big, monolithic supercomputers of the 1980s and 1990s to infinitely more powerful distributed clusters of nodes working together to solve increasingly complex problems. When the architecture changed in the early 2000s, it opened up new ways of operating faster and more efficiently, making scientific research, manufacturing, and engineering industries more innovative, to name a few of the sectors. To overcome the qubit scalability barriers facing today’s designs, quantum computing is likely to follow a similar trajectory.

Distributed Quantum Today's quantum processors are making progress, but they’re insufficient when compared to what commercial quantum applications will need to achieve utility scale (i.e., “quantum advantage”). While researchers continue to incrementally increase the number of qubits on a processor and improve individual qubit quality, another approach is gaining momentum. Rather than waiting for one massive quantum computer to emerge, multiple smaller quantum processors can be connected through quantum networking, allowing them to work together on complex computational challenges. This approach is called distributed quantum, and it has the potential to accelerate the commercialization of quantum computing while providing a more practical path to scale. The issue is that quantum computers can’t use the networks that exist in today’s datacenters. Unlike the networks that carry the defined digital information of classical computers, quantum networks need the ability to handle and maintain the delicate quantum states of qubits and extend these states across connected systems. Although technical issues remain, such as improving communication distances, the direction is becoming more and more clear. As quantum technology matures, networking will play a key role in transforming isolated quantum processors into scalable computing platforms. For business leaders, the significance extends beyond the technology itself. Quantum computing is expected to create new opportunities across industries that rely on solving big, complex problems. Pharmaceutical companies are exploring how quantum could accelerate drug discovery. Financial institutions see potential applications in portfolio optimization and risk analysis. Manufacturers and materials scientists anticipate breakthroughs in product design. These opportunities will not arrive all at once, nor will they depend on a single breakthrough in processor design. Just as cloud computing and distributed architectures reshaped enterprise IT over the past two decades, distributed quantum computing is expected to evolve through advances one at a time, which steadily build to expand quantum’s capabilities. We also see movement in public policy. Recent federal initiatives such as DARPA’s Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ) project and the June 2026 Executive Order 14413, which supports quantum innovation, recognize that leadership requires more than advances in computing hardware alone. Investments in networking, a viable ecosystem, and workforce development are hoped to contribute to building a sustainable quantum ecosystem capable of supporting long-term commercial adoption. Strategizing for the Long Term For organizations evaluating quantum technology, they’re beginning to understand where it fits within their long-term strategies. While widespread commercial deployment isn’t expected until the next decade, the pace of progress is accelerating, and organizations that establish foundational knowledge today are preparing to capitalize on future opportunities. One point is important: Business leaders should not view quantum computing through the same lens as traditional computing. Quantum can’t be boiled down to just being a faster version of today's systems. Quantum is an entirely different way of solving large, complex problems with a plethora of potential outcomes. As the technology evolves, success will depend not only on advances in quantum processors, but also on the infrastructure that enables them to work together. The quantum industry has spent years measuring progress by the number of qubits in the system. Perhaps that’s no longer the most important metric. Instead, perhaps the measurement benchmark should be what happens when quantum computers stop being individual machines and start becoming a real, functioning network. When that happens, the next era of quantum innovation will be defined by what connected quantum systems will do together.>>Check out this TechXchange for similarly themed contentProstockstudio | DreamstimeBasic Quantum ComputingQuantum computing is cutting-edge technology. Here, we delve into understanding the basics and how it all relates to other aspects like software and security.>>Check out this TechXchange for similarly themed contentProstockstudio | DreamstimeBasic Quantum ComputingQuantum computing is cutting-edge technology. Here, we delve into understanding the basics and how it all relates to other aspects like software and security. About the Author Charles FoleyCharles FoleyChairman & CEO, memQCharles Foley serves as Chairman and CEO of memQ Inc., a quantum networking leader with the mission to drive adoption by bringing scale-out configuration and control to a monolithic quantum compute world. Foley brings over 40 years of high-tech experience to the memQ leadership team from companies such as IBM, Memorex, Amdahl, NetApp, and others across enterprise data, cloud, and high-performance networking. A recognized industry speaker, he has led successful IPOs and M&A exits in both management and board roles. Currently, Foley also sits on the board of directors of Critical Links, RunSafe Security, and VIZpin.Sign up for our eNewsletters Get the latest news and updates Sign Up Sign UpApril 1st, 2026 @ Electronic Design: Magical MysteryApril 1st, 2026 @ Electronic Design: Magical MysteryTaking the Data Center to the Next LevelTaking the Data Center to the Next Level To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Electronic Design, create an account today! Join today! I already have an account Join today!Leaders LogoLeaders relevant to this article:Keystone Electronics Corp Master Bond Mouser View All Companies >Engineering on Friday ‘toon: Goldie's Ocean CleanupDo You Recognize These? Programming Languages: Quiz 7Radiosondes: A Nearly Century-Old Weather Technology Still Used Today Load More Content Sign Up