Having a resilient network is critical for telecom companies. As we all well know, if the network goes down due to equipment failures, natural or manmade disasters, or other issues, customers are unable to connect, and commerce can be grounded to a halt.
That’s why telecom companies need to use all available resources to improve network resiliency. But companies these days are facing a significant challenge: networks are getting too complex for today’s classical computers, putting companies at a disadvantage as they try to keep customers online.
Enter quantum technology as a looming solution in the not-too-distant future. Researchers in both private industry and academia are making quick advances toward the day when quantum technology can outperform classical computers in certain tasks. Once that happens, quantum technology is poised to offer advancements to nearly every industry, but the impact will be particularly acute in industries such as life sciences, financial services, and telecom.
Why is quantum technology so powerful? In a nutshell, a classical bit can only be a binary value, 0 or 1. On the other hand, a quantum bit, known as a qubit, can exist in a state of 0 and 1 simultaneously. Being in that state of superposition allows for infinitely more powerful calculations.
Recently three deep-tech companies and a European telecom provider conducted a study to see if quantum technology could outperform classical computers when it comes to predicting network resilience. The two quantum companies – QuEra, an American quantum hardware company, and Kipu, a German quantum algorithm company – worked with Cinfo, a Spanish artificial intelligence and 5G company, to test the ability of quantum technology to predict the resiliency of a small portion of a telecom network in Galicia, in northwest Spain, belonging to MasOrange, Spain’s largest mobile provider.
The study’s main objective was to pre-calculate thousands of optimal network configurations on a complex telecommunication network so that during a crisis, the time to determine the source of a problem is minimized and a solution can be implemented faster. In particular, the study’s participants tried to audit the network’s resiliency by identifying gaps in redundancies – the backup systems and connections in telecom used to ensure that if one node fails, others will still operate, and the network will remain functional.
Modeling a telecom network
In the study, researchers modeled the telecom network onto a quantum computing framework, including 46 nodes and various types of network equipment and traffic, which was then mapped onto neutral atoms. The model was designed to be complex enough to reflect real-world scenarios yet basic enough for today’s quantum technology. It mapped about 10 percent of the nodes in the regional network.
Researchers then developed an algorithm to simulate the network’s resilience and provide optimal configurations through the concept of the Maximum Independent Set (MIS). The MIS was used to quantify the resilience of the network and identify redundancy gaps. The team then used an analog mode quantum computer with 256 qubits to run the simulations.
The study analyzed both the backbone of the network (core network) and subnetworks.
Results point to quantum’s potential
The results show that the algorithm proved to be highly efficient and provided accurate resilience measures for the network, proving that today’s quantum hardware can tackle problems in network optimization. Even though the study was conducted on a small sample, these promising results demonstrate that they could be replicated on a real-world scale as quantum technology advances.
The broader implications are huge as improved network resiliency will lead to numerous benefits for corporations and consumers. It could mean faster networks and fewer disruptions. That in turn will lead to greater savings for customers across the board as well as improved online experiences.
With quantum advantage looming, now is the time for telecom companies to explore applicable quantum technologies and plan for the future. Those who do are sure to stay ahead of the curve and will dial up greater chances of success when it comes to keeping customers connected.
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