D-Wave Quantum Inc, a leader in quantum computing systems, software and services and supplier of the world’s first commercial quantum computer, and NTT DOCOMO, Inc., Japan’s largest mobile operator with over 90 million subscribers, announced a quantum optimization pilot that demonstrated improved mobile network performance. Using D-Wave’s annealing quantum computing solution, DOCOMO confirmed it could reduce base station congestion by reducing paging signals by 15% during peak calling hours, potentially improving efficiency and reducing infrastructure costs. The Company plans to roll out this hybrid quantum solution nationwide in the coming months.
D-Wave’s hybrid quantum technology was used to optimize base station tracking areas (which are small geographic regions that collectively transmit paging signals), helping NTT Docomo predict future movement patterns and determine the optimal combination of base stations to re-establish connections as devices move between tracking areas.
The efficiency of this solution was demonstrated in pilot tests in specific regions of Japan (Tokai, Chugoku, and Kyushu regions) and compared to traditional methods. While a general-purpose solver took 27 hours, D-Wave’s hybrid solver completed the same task in just 40 seconds. Test results showed that quantum optimization reduced paging signals by 15%, allowing approximately 1.2 times more terminals to connect. This increased bandwidth for base station resources is expected to significantly reduce congestion and maintain a high-quality flow of network traffic even during periods of heavy use.
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“We expect that our quantum optimization strategy will further improve network efficiency and enable us to maintain high quality of service without additional infrastructure investments, even as network traffic increases,” said Takatoshi Okagawa, Executive Officer and General Manager of R&D Strategy Division, R&D Innovation Headquarters, NTT DOCOMO. “With D-Wave’s hybrid quantum technology, we aim to establish a new standard for operational performance in the telecommunications industry.”
“Telecommunications operators face increasing operational complexities, from the rollout of 5G to ever-changing consumer demands, and need new solutions to stay competitive,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. “DOCOMO’s successful pilot test clearly demonstrates that today’s quantum technologies are capable of solving complex optimization problems for telecommunications operators, with the potential to improve customer satisfaction, maintain network performance and mitigate growing infrastructure costs.”
Following the successful pilot, NTT DOCOMO plans to deploy the annealing quantum computing solution in production across its network facilities nationwide and is also exploring opportunities to apply quantum optimization across its business sectors, including finance, retail, transportation and logistics, and construction.
SOURCE: Businesswire