NTT invests in OptQC for 1 million-qubit quantum target by 2031

NTT committed to invest in deep-tech start-up OptQC to advance joint quantum computing research that the companies began in November 2025. NTT said the capital and business alliance with OptQC covers the research, development and launch of quantum computing machinery.

NTT and OptQC said they are working toward a 1 million-qubit quantum computer within the next five years, with a target delivery date of the end of March 2031. The companies said the system could be used in finance, manufacturing, pharmaceutical development, energy optimisation and advanced AI.

NTT and OptQC plan to complete initial system architecture and component technology design by March 2028 and to have a 10,000-qubit quantum computing system operating by the same date. The initial research agreement uses wavelength-division multiplexing technology to scale qubit volumes by March 2028, and the companies also aim by then to develop a fault-tolerant optical quantum computer and the architecture for a 1 million-qubit version.

NTT and OptQC said work in the following two years would cover verification testing and development of a software platform to integrate quantum and classical computers. The companies also set goals over the next four years to build a supply chain, develop proof-of-concepts, and expand use cases and verification.