AT&T and D-Wave expand quantum computing partnership ...
AT&T is moving quantum computing out of the lab and into live network operations. The telecommunications giant has expanded its agreement with D-Wave Quantum following successful tests that slashed processing times for core network tasks from one hour to under 15 seconds. This shift marks a transition toward using quantum technology to solve practical business problems at scale.
By integrating D-Wave’s annealing quantum computing into existing AI systems, AT&T aims to improve efficiency across its infrastructure. The company currently uses AI tools for outage detection and management, which saved 12 million hours of customer downtime in 2025. Adding quantum processing power allows the firm to handle increasingly complex calculations that conventional computers struggle to manage as networks grow larger and more intricate.
The scope of this work covers multiple operational areas. Future testing will evaluate quantum capabilities for technician routing, network build planning, and traffic management. These tasks are critical as the operator continues to expand its fibre and 5G footprint to support the high demand generated by modern AI applications.
Beyond current optimization efforts, AT&T is also exploring gate-model quantum systems. These long-term investigations target potential applications in quantum security and communications. This approach fits into a larger strategy to modernize network management through a combination of software-defined infrastructure, advanced analytics, and automated systems.
Industry leaders increasingly view the marriage of AI and quantum computing as a standard path for network resilience. As telecom operators face greater traffic volume and hardware complexity, the ability to process optimization variables in seconds rather than hours provides a significant competitive advantage. This partnership demonstrates a clear shift toward practical, commercial applications for quantum hardware in the telecommunications sector.