As part of its efforts to support a growing ecosystem of quantum users in Europe, IBM is setting up a quantum data center in Ehningen, Germany and has installed two 127 qubit Eagle processors to get it started. Later on this year, they plan to add a 156 qubit Heron processor. The concept for this data center is similar to the one they set up in Poughkeepsie, New York in 2019. The cloud entry point for this service will be in Frankfurt, Germany.
There are several benefits that will accrue with this move. Many organizations and countries have a preference for data locality. They prefer not to ship data to the U.S. for processing for a variety of reasons. In addition, IBM has a growing user base of Europeans working with quantum technology. European based enterprises and research institutions such as Crédit Mutuel, Bosch, E.ON, Volkswagen Group, and Ikerbasque have been working with IBM to research quantum computing use in their organizations. IBM indicates that over 80 organizations are accessing quantum computing, over 850 Europeans have been certified with IBM Quantum learning badges, and over 100,000 Europeans are using IBM’s quantum learning. The European quantum market has continued to grow with substantial government and private investments in quantum tech over the past few years. IBM also has in place technical and business development support teams to help users with their applications development and research.
Users will be able to access the quantum computers at this new data center through several access paths including a Premium Plan, a Pay-as-you-go service, or working through IBM’s regional 3rd party business partners.
A press release announcing this new European quantum data center has been posted on the IBM website here.
October 1, 2024
