OVHcloud has launched a quantum computer from a data center in Croix, France.
The company this week inaugurated what it described as the first quantum computer available from a European Cloud service provider.
“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 OVHcloud. “With the arrival of this first quantum computer in our data center 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.”
OVHcloud purchased the Quandela quantum computer in March 2023. The MosaiQ system was the first Quandela computer to ship from the factory. It was delivered to the data center at the end of 2023 and has now been set up and configured.
The 2-qubit MosaiQ system uses beams of lights and photonics principles to run quantum applications. This means it avoids the need for cryogenic supercooling that some other systems rely on.
“We are extremely proud that the first quantum computer manufactured in our factory is now installed in one of OVHcloud data centers and now connected to their cloud,” said Niccolo Somaschi, co-founder and CEO Quandela. “It’s a major step to develop [the] use of our technologies within the European quantum and research communities.”
Sylvie Retailleau, Minister of Higher Education and Research, Marina Ferrari, Secretary of State for Digital Affairs, and Thomas Skordas, Deputy Director-General DG CNECT at European Commission, were both in attendance at the launch event.
“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. 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 hours” said Sylvie Retailleau, Minister of Higher Education and Research.
Founded in 2017, Paris-based Quandala has a system in a data center in Sherbrooke, Canada, operated by EDF subsidiary Exaion.
OVH operates eight data centers in the Croix area of Rouiax, the first of which opened in 2006.
Cloud providers Amazon, Google, and Microsoft offer access to quantum computers through their respective clouds. But as far as DCD understands, these systems are all to-date sitting in the on-premise facilities of their respective makers and offered through the cloud via APIs.
IBM operates a number of quantum machines out of a data center in New York that it has made available through a portal.
Many quantum computing companies offer access to their systems through their own clouds as well, with most systems hosted in on-premise labs and data center environments.
