The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has officially opened a sector inquiry (IC59) into the burgeoning quantum computing (QC) market. Citing the technology’s potential to revolutionize complex problem-solving in strategic fields like cybersecurity, biotechnology, and fintech, the Authority aims to identify potential competition risks before the technology reaches full commercial maturity.
Key Competition Concerns
The inquiry was prompted by several structural risks that could lead to “technological pre-emption” by a few dominant players. These might include:
- Strategic Acquisitions: The AGCM is closely monitoring “early acquisitions” of specialized start-ups by larger entities, a trend that could consolidate power prematurely.
- Hyperscaler Dominance: Major global tech players (hyperscalers) are positioning themselves as privileged intermediaries. By offering Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS) through existing cloud infrastructures, they may leverage current dominance in Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) to capture the QC market.
- Vendor Lock-in: There is a significant risk of both technological and contractual lock-in. Software developers may find it impossible to migrate algorithms between different quantum hardware due to a lack of standardized programming interfaces and qubit control languages.
- Patent Thickets: QC-related patent registrations are growing at an unprecedented rate, far exceeding other technology sectors, which the Authority fears could stifle market contestability.
Strategic Context and Public Consultation
This move aligns with broader initiatives, including the Quantum Europe Strategy and Italy’s own national strategy for quantum technologies. The Authority has set a deadline of December 31, 2026, to conclude the investigation. As part of this process, a Call for Inputs has been issued, inviting stakeholders to submit feedback on market structures, competitive dynamics, intellectual property, and strategic dependencies by a deadline of April 30, 2026.
For more about this inquiry, see a press release provided by the Italian Competition Authority available here, a call for input document that can be seen here, and a translation of the initiating resolution here.
March 22, 2026