Cisco launches "Universal Quantum Switch"…… Quantum computing competition is shifting from hardware to the networking field

Cisco Systems ($CSCO) publicly announced last week the “Universal Quantum Switch,” clearly indicating that the core of quantum computing expansion is not about the performance of individual devices, but about the “network.” This means that quantum computers are no longer confined to isolated experimental devices but are evolving toward interconnected “quantum networks.”

Currently, high-complexity problems such as molecular simulation, new material discovery, portfolio optimization, and large-scale scheduling require 100k to 1 million logical qubits to solve. However, according to major roadmaps, even by 2030, the realistic situation will only reach a few thousand, at most tens of thousands, which is still an early stage. Due to this gap, the industry is shifting focus to “distributed quantum computing,” connecting multiple small processors to operate as a single system, rather than relying on a single ultra-large quantum computer.

Why Quantum Networks Are Needed

Traditional computer networks only exchange computational results, but the quantum domain is different. For multiple devices to operate as an integrated system, they must transmit quantum states themselves while maintaining “entanglement.” In this process, switches capable of changing paths without destroying photon quantum properties are essential.

Cisco’s universal quantum switch is designed specifically for this role. It aims to transmit entangled photons over standard communication fiber at room temperature and process multiple encoding schemes while preserving quantum information. Notably, unlike conventional optical switches, it features an internal “quantum state converter” to avoid destroying quantum states.

Additionally, it supports major quantum encoding methods such as polarization, time bins, frequency, and path, and can convert between them, enabling quantum systems using different approaches to connect within the same network. This opens up possibilities for devices based on neutral atoms, superconductors, and photons to operate together on a common infrastructure.

Cisco’s Goal: Foundation for a “Quantum Internet”

Previously, Cisco announced a chip capable of generating about 200 million entangled photon pairs per second. Coupled with this switch and the software stack related to entanglement distribution, switching, and quantum teleportation, industry experts see it as a preliminary framework of “transmitter-network architecture-control system.”

In experiments conducted with partner Qunnect in the New York metropolitan area, Cisco demonstrated entanglement swapping speeds over several kilometers, surpassing current laboratory levels. This is interpreted as a signal that quantum networks are no longer just theoretical but are entering a stage integrated with actual communication infrastructure.

From a market perspective, an important point is that the economic value of quantum computing may not come from selling individual devices but from “resource sharing.” Just as enterprises today use cloud-based CPUs and GPUs on demand, future quantum computing resources are likely to be bundled and provided via networks.

Cisco’s Advantages

Quantum networks are not exclusive to quantum hardware companies. They require existing optical communication infrastructure, internet protocol (IP) networks, control software, and security systems working together. This is where Cisco’s strengths lie.

Through its incubation organization Outshift, Cisco is developing an integrated architecture covering quantum chips, switches, compilers, orchestration, distributed error correction, and post-quantum cryptography. Moreover, Cisco is collaborating with companies like IBM Quantum and Atom Computing, which employ different quantum approaches, gaining experience in connecting devices in real environments.

Most critically, operating at room temperature and supporting communication bands allows Cisco to maximize the use of existing fiber and optical communication ecosystems. This reduces reliance on specialized infrastructure (such as ultra-low temperature links), lowering the entry barrier for telecom operators and cloud service providers.

What the IT Industry Should Prepare For

In the short term, most enterprises are unlikely to introduce quantum switches within the next year. However, over the next 3 to 5 years, the choice of network architecture will greatly influence their ability to adapt to quantum transformation.

Experts recommend viewing quantum computing as a “multi-vendor network service” rather than a single-vendor technology. This means that when developing data center and wide-area network strategies, consideration should be given to the interconnected structure of major cloud providers, specialized quantum clouds, and local devices.

Furthermore, in terms of security, it is necessary to prepare for both the transition to post-quantum cryptography and the response of quantum networks. Quantum computers may threaten current cryptographic systems, but conversely, quantum networks could offer stronger security models. Ultimately, designing hybrid structures where classical networks coexist with quantum links is expected to be a core challenge.

Cisco’s announcement indicates that quantum computing is moving beyond “physical experiments” into a stage where it becomes a fundamental infrastructure topic for enterprise IT planning. The outcome of the quantum era will depend not only on who first acquires more qubits but increasingly on who can connect these resources most efficiently.

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