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Communications of the ACM

Assessing the quantum-computing landscape

Advait Deshpande

Published Sep 21, 2022• 18 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A summative assessment of quantum computing's progress, based on market readiness and investment levels, and its future implications.
DOI
10.1145/3524109

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This paper presents a formative market assessment of the quantum computing landscape in terms of market readiness of the technologies and the reported levels of investments. The findings presented in this paper are based on a quick scan of available literature combined with a perceptual map of the state-of-play. The paper considers the role of ‘big tech’ companies, the start-up ecosystem, and funding by nation states to identify key implications for the future of quantum computing developments. It highlights that although quantum computing technologies offer scope to revolutionise computing hardware and software, the development of a universal quantum computer will require breakthroughs in several areas including improvements in the quality of qubits, error correction, and demonstrable set of practical applications.

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## Detailed Description of the Complete 10-Diagram Series ### Overview and Scope This comprehensive 3D diagrammatic compendium presents the most complete visual documentation of global quantum communication infrastructure as of 2026. The series of 10 three-dimensional diagrams, generated using Python's Matplotlib with `mplot3d` toolkit, systematically illustrates the worldwide deployment of quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, satellite-based quantum communication systems, cross-border quantum links, investment patterns, and comparative country readiness assessments. The diagrams are organized to provide a **progressive understanding** of the global quantum landscape: - **Macro-level investment and strategy** (Diagram 1)- **Regional integration** (Diagrams 2, 3)- **National infrastructure deep-dives** (Diagrams 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)- **Space-based systems** (Diagram 9)- **Comparative analysis** (Diagram 10) This compendium serves as an essential resource for policymakers, researchers, defense strategists, telecommunications planners, and investors seeking to understand the rapidly evolving global quantum communication ecosystem. --- ### Diagram-by-Diagram Description --- #### Part 1: Global Investment Landscape and Strategic Priorities **Diagram 1 – Global Quantum Technology Investment by Country (2025)** **Visual Elements:** This 3D bar chart presents the annual global investment in quantum technologies across leading nations. The visualization uses a dark background with color-coded bars representing different countries. **Key Data Presented:** | Rank | Country | Investment (Billion USD) | Share of Global ||------|---------|-------------------------|-----------------|| 1 | United States | $12.1 B | 36.4% || 2 | China | $8.25 B | 24.8% || 3 | Germany | $3.2 B | 9.6% || 4 | United Kingdom | $2.5 B | 7.5% || 5 | Japan | $2.1 B | 6.3% || 6 | South Korea | $1.4 B | 4.2% || 7 | India | $0.72 B | 2.2% || 8 | Canada | $0.6 B | 1.8% || 9 | France | $0.5 B | 1.5% || 10 | Other EU | $1.8 B | 5.4% | **Critical Insights:** - **Total Global Annual Investment:** $33.28 Billion- **USA-China Duopoly:** These two nations alone account for 61% of global quantum technology investment- **Strategic Orientation:** USA emphasizes private capital and computing dominance; China focuses on state-led sovereignty through communication and materials- **Investment-to-Revenue Ratio:** Approximately 17.7:1, indicating strategic long-horizon R&D rather than immediate commercial returns **Scientific Significance:** This diagram establishes the economic foundation of the global quantum race, demonstrating that quantum communication infrastructure is being built through massive, sustained government and private investment rather than market-driven demand. --- #### Part 2: European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) **Diagram 2 – EuroQCI: European Quantum Communication Infrastructure Network** **Visual Elements:** This geographic 3D map shows the pan-European quantum network spanning 20+ countries. Nodes are color-coded by network status: lime (active major networks), cyan (participating), orange (under construction). Yellow connection lines represent existing or planned quantum links. **Participating Countries and Network Status:** | Country | Status | Key Features ||---------|--------|--------------|| Romania | Active (Major) | RoNaQCI - 1,500 km, 36 links, 6 cities || Germany | Active (Major) | QuNET, Berlin-Bonn link (2024) || Poland | Active (Major) | OPTIME/NLPQT, cross-border links to DE, CZ, LT || Czech Republic | Active | CITAF, cross-border links to AT, PL, SK || Austria | Active | Vienna cross-border links || Slovakia | Active | Bratislava link with Czech Republic || Bulgaria | Under Construction | QUASAR, Sofia-Bucharest link || Greece | Active | Sofia link with Bulgaria || France | Active | Refimeve network || Italy | Active | LIFT network || Spain | Active | EuroQCI participant || Netherlands | Active | EuroQCI participant || Belgium | Active | EuroQCI participant || Switzerland | Active | SWITCH network || Sweden | Active | SUNET network || Finland | Active | FUNET network || Norway | Starting | SIKT network || Denmark | Active | EuroQCI participant || United Kingdom | Active | London Quantum Metropolitan Network || Hungary | Active | Cross-border with Romania/Austria | **Highlighted Features:** - **RoNaQCI (Romania):** Represented by a gold star, this is Europe's largest national quantum network at 1,500 km- **Berlin-Bonn Link (Germany):** Operational since November 2024, connecting the capital to Bonn- **EuroQCI Target:** Scheduled for full operation in 2027, integrating terrestrial fiber with satellite segments **Strategic Significance:** Europe is pursuing a coordinated multi-country approach to achieve technological sovereignty, avoiding fragmentation by creating interoperable national networks under a unified framework. --- **Diagram 3 – Cross-Border Quantum Communication Links in Europe (2026)** **Visual Elements:** This focused 3D map zooms in on Central and Eastern Europe, showing active and planned cross-border quantum connections with color-coded links: lime (active), orange (under construction), gray (planned). **Active Cross-Border Quantum Links:** | Connection | Border Crossing | Status | Distance | Technology ||------------|----------------|--------|----------|------------|| Vienna (Austria) – Brno (Czech Republic) | Austria-Czech | **Active** | ~120 km | Fiber QKD || Vienna (Austria) – Bratislava (Slovakia) | Austria-Slovakia | **Active** | ~80 km | Fiber QKD || Cieszyn (Poland) – Cieszyn (Czech Republic) | Poland-Czech | **Active** | ~10 km | Terrestrial QKD || Słubice (Poland) – Frankfurt (Germany) | Poland-Germany | **Active** | ~80 km | QKD testing || Ogrodniki (Poland) – Marijampolė (Lithuania) | Poland-Lithuania | **Active** | ~100 km | Terrestrial QKD | **Under Construction:** | Connection | Countries | Expected Completion ||------------|-----------|---------------------|| Sofia (Bulgaria) – Bucharest (Romania) | Bulgaria-Romania | 2026-2027 | **Planned:** | Connection | Countries | Timeline ||------------|-----------|----------|| Sofia (Bulgaria) – Athens (Greece) | Bulgaria-Greece | 2027+ | **Strategic Significance:** These cross-border links represent the emergence of a truly international quantum internet. The Poland-Germany, Poland-Czech, and Austria-Czech links demonstrate that quantum communication is no longer confined to national boundaries, creating the first multinational quantum-secure corridors in Europe. --- #### Part 3: National Quantum Infrastructure – Major Powers **Diagram 4 – United States Quantum Communication Infrastructure** **Visual Elements:** This 3D map of the continental United States shows two major quantum communication corridors with lime nodes for active network cities. **Key Networks:** | Network | Route | Length | Status | Operators ||---------|-------|--------|--------|-----------|| East Coast QKD Network | Washington DC → New York → Boston | ~450 miles | Operational (2018) | Commercial QKD service || Chicago Quantum Corridor | Chicago → Indianapolis → St. Louis | ~1,000 km | Operational (2023) | Data center interconnect | **Additional Features:**- **Quantum Corridor Purpose:** Connecting Chicago data centers, quantum exchange, and Indiana- **Strategic Blueprint:** Department of Energy's "Quantum Internet National Strategic Blueprint" (February 2020)- **Milestone 1:** Validation of secure quantum protocols over fiber networks (achieved) **Strategic Orientation:** The US strategy emphasizes commercialization, private capital participation, and standards development. The presence of commercial QKD networks serving banks and critical mission data demonstrates market validation. --- **Diagram 5 – China Quantum Communication Infrastructure** **Visual Elements:** This 3D map shows China's quantum infrastructure with the Beijing-Shanghai backbone (cyan line) and the Micius quantum satellite (gold star) in orbit with yellow dashed links to ground stations. **Key Components:** | Component | Details ||-----------|---------|| **Beijing-Shanghai QKD Backbone** | Length: ~2,000 km; Nodes: Beijing, Jinan, Nanjing, Shanghai; Status: Operational (2017, upgraded 2022) || **Micius Quantum Satellite** | Launched: 2016; Capabilities: Entanglement distribution, QKD, teleportation; Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) || **Ground Stations** | Beijing, Jinan, Nanjing, Shanghai, multiple others || **National Standard** | "Basic Requirements for Quantum Private Communication Applications" – first national QKD standard | **Unique Advantages:**- China is the only nation with operational space-to-ground quantum communication- The Micius satellite has demonstrated QKD over 7,600 km between ground stations- Quantum-secure voice services have experienced substantial user growth **Strategic Orientation:** China's state-led acceleration focuses on technological sovereignty through communication infrastructure, with quantum materials as a secondary priority. --- #### Part 4: National Quantum Infrastructure – Emerging Leaders **Diagram 6 – Romania: RoNaQCI – Europe's Largest National Quantum Communication Network** **Visual Elements:** This detailed 3D map of Romania shows the RoNaQCI network with six metropolitan nodes connected by lime-colored quantum links. Bucharest is highlighted as the central gold star hub. **Technical Specifications:** | Parameter | Value ||-----------|-------|| **Total Length** | 1,500+ kilometers || **Secure Quantum Links** | 36 || **Metropolitan Areas Covered** | 6 (Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, Craiova, Constanța) || **Technology Provider** | ID Quantique (IonQ subsidiary) QKD systems || **Network Operator** | RoEduNet (National Research and Education Network) || **Lead Institution** | National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest || **Consortium** | 12 Romanian universities, 7 rese

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K SC This paper provides a detailed conceptual and market assessment of the strategic impetuses driving enterprise and institutional investment in quantum computing, as crystallised in recent analyses of corporate preparedness programmes (including the Wall Street Journal reporting synthesised by King, 2026). It examines the offensive (optimisation, simulation, analytics) and defensive (post-quantum cryptography, cryptographic inventory, harvest-now-decrypt-later risk) rationales for early capital allocation under conditions of radical timeline uncertainty. Drawing on 2025–2026 capital-market data, the paper maps private-equity and public-market repercussions: record venture funding, concentration in late-stage rounds, multi-billion-dollar valuations of pure-play platforms, and the opening of exit windows via conventional IPOs and SPACs. It then develops an epistemic and ontological reading of market signalling, arguing that capital markets function as distributed knowledge institutions that price optionality under dual computational and cryptographic futures. Markers of market maturation are presented alongside an assessment of the hypothesis that meaningful quantum capability—and associated 'transcendence' effects—may begin to materialise from 2027. Also available on Academia.edu: https://www.academia.edu/attachments/133955971/download_file?s=portfolio

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E. R. MacQuarrie, Christoph Simon, Stephanie Simmons +1 more

arXiv:2202.12733•Nature Reviews Physics•Oct 12, 2020•98 citations
This paper presents a formative market assessment of the quantum computing landscape in terms of market readiness of the technologies and the reported levels of investments. The findings presented in this paper are based on a quick scan of available literature combined with a perceptual map of the state-of-play. The paper considers the role of ‘big tech’ companies, the start-up ecosystem, and funding by nation states to identify key implications for the future of quantum computing developments. It highlights that although quantum computing technologies offer scope to revolutionise computing hardware and software, the development of a universal quantum computer will require breakthroughs in several areas including improvements in the quality of qubits, error correction, and demonstrable set of practical applications.
## Detailed Description of the Complete 10-Diagram Series ### Overview and Scope This comprehensive 3D diagrammatic compendium presents the most complete visual documentation of global quantum communication infrastructure as of 2026. The series of 10 three-dimensional diagrams, generated using Python's Matplotlib with `mplot3d` toolkit, systematically illustrates the worldwide deployment of quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, satellite-based quantum communication systems, cross-border quantum links, investment patterns, and comparative country readiness assessments. The diagrams are organized to provide a **progressive understanding** of the global quantum landscape: - **Macro-level investment and strategy** (Diagram 1)- **Regional integration** (Diagrams 2, 3)- **National infrastructure deep-dives** (Diagrams 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)- **Space-based systems** (Diagram 9)- **Comparative analysis** (Diagram 10) This compendium serves as an essential resource for policymakers, researchers, defense strategists, telecommunications planners, and investors seeking to understand the rapidly evolving global quantum communication ecosystem. --- ### Diagram-by-Diagram Description --- #### Part 1: Global Investment Landscape and Strategic Priorities **Diagram 1 – Global Quantum Technology Investment by Country (2025)** **Visual Elements:** This 3D bar chart presents the annual global investment in quantum technologies across leading nations. The visualization uses a dark background with color-coded bars representing different countries. **Key Data Presented:** | Rank | Country | Investment (Billion USD) | Share of Global ||------|---------|-------------------------|-----------------|| 1 | United States | $12.1 B | 36.4% || 2 | China | $8.25 B | 24.8% || 3 | Germany | $3.2 B | 9.6% || 4 | United Kingdom | $2.5 B | 7.5% || 5 | Japan | $2.1 B | 6.3% || 6 | South Korea | $1.4 B | 4.2% || 7 | India | $0.72 B | 2.2% || 8 | Canada | $0.6 B | 1.8% || 9 | France | $0.5 B | 1.5% || 10 | Other EU | $1.8 B | 5.4% | **Critical Insights:** - **Total Global Annual Investment:** $33.28 Billion- **USA-China Duopoly:** These two nations alone account for 61% of global quantum technology investment- **Strategic Orientation:** USA emphasizes private capital and computing dominance; China focuses on state-led sovereignty through communication and materials- **Investment-to-Revenue Ratio:** Approximately 17.7:1, indicating strategic long-horizon R&D rather than immediate commercial returns **Scientific Significance:** This diagram establishes the economic foundation of the global quantum race, demonstrating that quantum communication infrastructure is being built through massive, sustained government and private investment rather than market-driven demand. --- #### Part 2: European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) **Diagram 2 – EuroQCI: European Quantum Communication Infrastructure Network** **Visual Elements:** This geographic 3D map shows the pan-European quantum network spanning 20+ countries. Nodes are color-coded by network status: lime (active major networks), cyan (participating), orange (under construction). Yellow connection lines represent existing or planned quantum links. **Participating Countries and Network Status:** | Country | Status | Key Features ||---------|--------|--------------|| Romania | Active (Major) | RoNaQCI - 1,500 km, 36 links, 6 cities || Germany | Active (Major) | QuNET, Berlin-Bonn link (2024) || Poland | Active (Major) | OPTIME/NLPQT, cross-border links to DE, CZ, LT || Czech Republic | Active | CITAF, cross-border links to AT, PL, SK || Austria | Active | Vienna cross-border links || Slovakia | Active | Bratislava link with Czech Republic || Bulgaria | Under Construction | QUASAR, Sofia-Bucharest link || Greece | Active | Sofia link with Bulgaria || France | Active | Refimeve network || Italy | Active | LIFT network || Spain | Active | EuroQCI participant || Netherlands | Active | EuroQCI participant || Belgium | Active | EuroQCI participant || Switzerland | Active | SWITCH network || Sweden | Active | SUNET network || Finland | Active | FUNET network || Norway | Starting | SIKT network || Denmark | Active | EuroQCI participant || United Kingdom | Active | London Quantum Metropolitan Network || Hungary | Active | Cross-border with Romania/Austria | **Highlighted Features:** - **RoNaQCI (Romania):** Represented by a gold star, this is Europe's largest national quantum network at 1,500 km- **Berlin-Bonn Link (Germany):** Operational since November 2024, connecting the capital to Bonn- **EuroQCI Target:** Scheduled for full operation in 2027, integrating terrestrial fiber with satellite segments **Strategic Significance:** Europe is pursuing a coordinated multi-country approach to achieve technological sovereignty, avoiding fragmentation by creating interoperable national networks under a unified framework. --- **Diagram 3 – Cross-Border Quantum Communication Links in Europe (2026)** **Visual Elements:** This focused 3D map zooms in on Central and Eastern Europe, showing active and planned cross-border quantum connections with color-coded links: lime (active), orange (under construction), gray (planned). **Active Cross-Border Quantum Links:** | Connection | Border Crossing | Status | Distance | Technology ||------------|----------------|--------|----------|------------|| Vienna (Austria) – Brno (Czech Republic) | Austria-Czech | **Active** | ~120 km | Fiber QKD || Vienna (Austria) – Bratislava (Slovakia) | Austria-Slovakia | **Active** | ~80 km | Fiber QKD || Cieszyn (Poland) – Cieszyn (Czech Republic) | Poland-Czech | **Active** | ~10 km | Terrestrial QKD || Słubice (Poland) – Frankfurt (Germany) | Poland-Germany | **Active** | ~80 km | QKD testing || Ogrodniki (Poland) – Marijampolė (Lithuania) | Poland-Lithuania | **Active** | ~100 km | Terrestrial QKD | **Under Construction:** | Connection | Countries | Expected Completion ||------------|-----------|---------------------|| Sofia (Bulgaria) – Bucharest (Romania) | Bulgaria-Romania | 2026-2027 | **Planned:** | Connection | Countries | Timeline ||------------|-----------|----------|| Sofia (Bulgaria) – Athens (Greece) | Bulgaria-Greece | 2027+ | **Strategic Significance:** These cross-border links represent the emergence of a truly international quantum internet. The Poland-Germany, Poland-Czech, and Austria-Czech links demonstrate that quantum communication is no longer confined to national boundaries, creating the first multinational quantum-secure corridors in Europe. --- #### Part 3: National Quantum Infrastructure – Major Powers **Diagram 4 – United States Quantum Communication Infrastructure** **Visual Elements:** This 3D map of the continental United States shows two major quantum communication corridors with lime nodes for active network cities. **Key Networks:** | Network | Route | Length | Status | Operators ||---------|-------|--------|--------|-----------|| East Coast QKD Network | Washington DC → New York → Boston | ~450 miles | Operational (2018) | Commercial QKD service || Chicago Quantum Corridor | Chicago → Indianapolis → St. Louis | ~1,000 km | Operational (2023) | Data center interconnect | **Additional Features:**- **Quantum Corridor Purpose:** Connecting Chicago data centers, quantum exchange, and Indiana- **Strategic Blueprint:** Department of Energy's "Quantum Internet National Strategic Blueprint" (February 2020)- **Milestone 1:** Validation of secure quantum protocols over fiber networks (achieved) **Strategic Orientation:** The US strategy emphasizes commercialization, private capital participation, and standards development. The presence of commercial QKD networks serving banks and critical mission data demonstrates market validation. --- **Diagram 5 – China Quantum Communication Infrastructure** **Visual Elements:** This 3D map shows China's quantum infrastructure with the Beijing-Shanghai backbone (cyan line) and the Micius quantum satellite (gold star) in orbit with yellow dashed links to ground stations. **Key Components:** | Component | Details ||-----------|---------|| **Beijing-Shanghai QKD Backbone** | Length: ~2,000 km; Nodes: Beijing, Jinan, Nanjing, Shanghai; Status: Operational (2017, upgraded 2022) || **Micius Quantum Satellite** | Launched: 2016; Capabilities: Entanglement distribution, QKD, teleportation; Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) || **Ground Stations** | Beijing, Jinan, Nanjing, Shanghai, multiple others || **National Standard** | "Basic Requirements for Quantum Private Communication Applications" – first national QKD standard | **Unique Advantages:**- China is the only nation with operational space-to-ground quantum communication- The Micius satellite has demonstrated QKD over 7,600 km between ground stations- Quantum-secure voice services have experienced substantial user growth **Strategic Orientation:** China's state-led acceleration focuses on technological sovereignty through communication infrastructure, with quantum materials as a secondary priority. --- #### Part 4: National Quantum Infrastructure – Emerging Leaders **Diagram 6 – Romania: RoNaQCI – Europe's Largest National Quantum Communication Network** **Visual Elements:** This detailed 3D map of Romania shows the RoNaQCI network with six metropolitan nodes connected by lime-colored quantum links. Bucharest is highlighted as the central gold star hub. **Technical Specifications:** | Parameter | Value ||-----------|-------|| **Total Length** | 1,500+ kilometers || **Secure Quantum Links** | 36 || **Metropolitan Areas Covered** | 6 (Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, Craiova, Constanța) || **Technology Provider** | ID Quantique (IonQ subsidiary) QKD systems || **Network Operator** | RoEduNet (National Research and Education Network) || **Lead Institution** | National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest || **Consortium** | 12 Romanian universities, 7 rese
K SC This paper provides a detailed conceptual and market assessment of the strategic impetuses driving enterprise and institutional investment in quantum computing, as crystallised in recent analyses of corporate preparedness programmes (including the Wall Street Journal reporting synthesised by King, 2026). It examines the offensive (optimisation, simulation, analytics) and defensive (post-quantum cryptography, cryptographic inventory, harvest-now-decrypt-later risk) rationales for early capital allocation under conditions of radical timeline uncertainty. Drawing on 2025–2026 capital-market data, the paper maps private-equity and public-market repercussions: record venture funding, concentration in late-stage rounds, multi-billion-dollar valuations of pure-play platforms, and the opening of exit windows via conventional IPOs and SPACs. It then develops an epistemic and ontological reading of market signalling, arguing that capital markets function as distributed knowledge institutions that price optionality under dual computational and cryptographic futures. Markers of market maturation are presented alongside an assessment of the hypothesis that meaningful quantum capability—and associated 'transcendence' effects—may begin to materialise from 2027. Also available on Academia.edu: https://www.academia.edu/attachments/133955971/download_file?s=portfolio