One of the world’s largest cloud hosting providers, OVHcloud, headquartered in France, has made a significant leap in the tech world by introducing its quantum computer available through a European cloud service. An event to inaugurate the commissioning took place in Croix, France, marking a pivotal moment for the European Quantum ecosystem.
The inauguration attracted high-profile figures, including Sylvie Retailleau, the French Minister of Higher Education and Research, Marina Ferrari, the Secretary of State for Digital Affairs, and Thomas Skordas, the Deputy Director-General of the DG CNECT at the European Commission. The ceremony showcased the commissioning of the Quandela MosaiQ Quantum Computer at OVHcloud’s facilities, underscoring Europe’s ambition to be at the forefront of innovation, sovereignty, and strategic autonomy.
This move by OVHcloud is seen as a commitment to fostering innovation within Europe, as well as a statement of support for the quantum computing sector. The acquisition of the Quandela Quantum computer in March 2023 was a part of the ‘Choose French Tech’ program, emphasizing OVHcloud’s dedication to nurturing a strong, value-driven ecosystem in the tech industry.
The MosaiQ system, notable for being the first of its kind to leave Quandela’s factory, arrived at OVHcloud’s data center at the end of 2023 and has since been fully set up and operational. Today, it stands as one of the select few quantum computers accessible via the cloud, heralding a new era of technological capabilities for businesses across Europe.
“Through the acquisition of the MosaiQ quantum computer developed by the French start-up Quandela, the French company OVHcloud illustrates the strengthening of our digital sovereignty,” said Sylvie Retailleau, Minister of Higher Education and Research in France. “It embodies the dynamism of our quantum research ecosystem. OVHcloud’s approach is remarkable, at the cutting edge of technology and innovation, and will also benefit selected French higher education and research establishments to benefit from computing hour.”
The MosaiQ Quantum System
One of the first of its type, the MosaiQ system operates quantum applications using light beams enabled by photonics principles. OVHcloud is now setting the standard for European businesses looking to invest in quantum technology, which has applications in security, simulation, and optimization. The group wants to test new ideas, create new security measures, and further provide the foundation for industrial players to employ European technology in the future by using the quantum computation capacity for internal research and development. It is anticipated that quantum computing will solve intractable issues in the domains of complex molecular systems, transport and logistics optimization, and modeling of novel medications.
“With the inauguration of this computer, quantum computing will be more accessible and closer: our businesses must seize MosaiQ to accelerate their calculations and exploit its full potential,” said Marina Ferrari, Secretary of State for Digital Affairs in France. “It is thanks to the innovation and boldness of cloud providers such as OVHcloud and startups like Quandela that our country will be able to consolidate its position as European leader in quantum technologies in an increasingly competitive global ecosystem.”
“We are extremely proud that the first quantum computer manufactured in our factory is now installed in one of OVHcloud datacenters and now connected to their cloud,” said Niccolo Somaschi, co-founder and CEO Quandela. “It’s a major step to develop use of our technologies within the European quantum and research communities. It confirms both our ambitions and our commitment to democratize access to quantum compute for the industry, research and the whole academic community in order to build a strong European ecosystem.”
Universities Get Free Cloud-Based Quantum Computing Access
A new educational initiative from OVHcloud is available to a limited number of students from universities and other higher education establishments, including Telecom Paris and other members of the QuanTEdu-France consortium. Following the approval of their applications, students will be granted free access to Quandela QPU on OVHcloud via the cloud. OVHcloud’s collection of Quantum notebooks, which includes Alice & Bob, C12, Eviden, Pasqal, and Quandela notebooks, will be available to students for 80 hours.
The German Federal Minister of Education and Research, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, complimented the new educational program. With it, OVHcloud is actively promoting the development of talents and skill sets across Europe. It provides students with cutting-edge technology to aid in the development of European software for novel use cases and difficulties.
“We are convinced that quantum is a technology for the future, and we have shown unwavering support to ensure Europe doesn’t miss the next technological revolution,” said Michel Paulin, CEO at OVHcloud. “With the arrival of this first Quantum Computer in our datacenter we are pleased to make it accessible to students through the cloud, sending a clear signal of support to the broader ecosystem, playing our part in strengthening Europe’s strategic and technological autonomy.”
Operating over 450,000 servers within 42 data centers across 4 continents, OVHcloud is a major player in the worldwide cloud market, serving over 1,6 million users in over 140 countries.
-110x110.jpg){kind=logo}
