Insider Brief
- The UK is poised to lead the global quantum race, with major advancements in quantum technologies, including quantum secure networks and quantum-ready infrastructure.
- BT has played a key role in advancing quantum readiness by testing entanglement hardware, contributing to industry forums, and developing new quantum technologies.
- With government backing and significant investments, the UK aims to capture 15% of the global quantum market and secure 15% of global private equity investment by 2033.
- Image credit: BT website.
Guest post by Gabriela Styf Sjoman
MD of Research & Network Strategy at BT
A Global Quantum Acceleration – and a UK Opportunity
As the International Year of Quantum draws to a close, the world stands at the threshold of quantum’s next exciting chapter. After decades of research and experimentation, quantum is shifting from theory to inevitability, from discovery to deployment.
Global momentum is building fast: quantum computers are emerging, investment is rising, and early applications are showing real value. With quantum‑enabled cyber threats on the horizon, new encryption tools such as Post‑Quantum Cryptography (PQC) are now a priority for governments and businesses. Quantum is no longer a distant frontier; it is becoming one of the defining technologies of the next decade – and the UK has a pivotal opportunity to lead.
Extraordinary Technologies Need Extraordinary Infrastructure
As exciting and extraordinary as quantum computers, sensors, and devices are – on their own they are isolated. Their true value is unlocked only when they are connected – to each other, to users, to data, and to the wider digital ecosystem. Just as AI required cloud infrastructure and electric vehicles needed charging networks, quantum technologies need networks that are both quantum secure and quantum ready. This is the foundation of the UK’s future quantum economy.
BT’s Role: Delivering Quantum Secure and Quantum Ready Networks
As the UK’s leading network provider, BT is uniquely placed to build this infrastructure.
With decades of leading research, we are developing quantum‑secure networks using technologies like PQC, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and entanglement‑based security – ensuring data is protected today and resilient against future threats. This is essential for national digital sovereignty.
At the same time, we are building quantum‑ready networks that will connect quantum computers, sensors and devices, enabling the quantum internet and unlocking applications that do not yet exist.
Advancing the UK’s Quantum Readiness in 2025
This year we’ve made major strides in advancing the UK’s quantum readiness:
- Ran the first real‑world test of Heriot‑Watt spin‑out’s entanglement hardware, validating how entanglement can support new forms of secure communication and information processing – a key step toward quantum connectivity.
- Led the Q Assure project to develop QKD assurance and build customer trust.
- Demonstrated QLAS with Aegiq – a system to enhance the resilience of fibre‑based QKD
- Explored hybrid quantum data centres with Orca Computing.
- Contributed to major industry and government forums, shaping how quantum technologies scale responsibly and securely.
- Began building a new research facility for optical space‑to‑ground communications – essential for future satellite‑enabled quantum networks – with the University of Suffolk.
We also expanded beyond networks by becoming a maker of quantum technologies. We developed new IP in quantum sensing and trialled a groundbreaking quantum radio receiver. UKRI has selected BT to lead Project SPECTRA, advancing quantum‑enabled RF sensing and strengthening the UK’s sovereign capability with global impact. Making quantum technologies is as critical as enabling, adopting and implementing them – and essential for UK leadership.
These achievements demonstrate our commitment to applied innovation, national leadership and deep collaboration across the quantum ecosystem.
Shaping the UK’s Quantum Future
As we head into 2026, the UK must sustain momentum and accelerate the shift from research to delivery – ensuring continued leadership in the global quantum race.
The Government’s Quantum Missions chart a bold path forward, underpinned by a significant £1 billion funding pledge for 2026-30. Progress across these missions next year will be essential to achieving the UK’s ambition to secure 15% of the global quantum technologies market and 15% of global private equity investment by 2033. The mission to build a world‑class quantum network by 2035 is especially critical – it will provide the secure infrastructure needed to connect quantum technologies and enable real‑world applications. The coming year is critical for stepping up delivery on this.
The UK enters 2026 from a position of strength, with thriving start-ups, strong industrial players, and world-class research. Now we need to accelerate adoption and build deeper, more resilient supply chains. Government has a key role to play: stimulating demand, convening industry and users, and helping to turn breakthrough science into deployable solutions.
As the nation’s network provider and a leading innovator in quantum, BT is proud to support this national effort – helping the UK seize the quantum opportunity and lead the next major stage of technological progress.
