San Francisco 24 April 2026 (The Capital Post) – Cisco has introduced a research prototype of a “universal quantum switch” designed to connect quantum computers built on different technologies, marking a significant step toward creating a functional quantum network.
The new switch addresses a major challenge in quantum computing, where machines from different developers use distinct methods to encode information, making them incompatible with one another. Cisco’s solution enables these systems to communicate by translating between various quantum encoding formats without disrupting the delicate quantum state.
Unlike traditional systems, the switch routes quantum information using entangled photons and avoids measuring the data directly, which would otherwise destroy the information. It converts incoming signals into a neutral format before transmitting them in a form that the receiving system can understand.
The prototype is designed to operate at room temperature and can function over existing fibre-optic infrastructure, eliminating the need for specialised cooling or new network systems. This makes it a practical step toward real-world deployment of quantum networking technology.
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Early testing indicates that the switch can preserve quantum information with minimal degradation, suggesting that it could support reliable communication between different quantum systems.
Experts say the development could accelerate efforts to build scalable quantum networks, allowing multiple quantum computers to work together and expand their overall computing power.
Cisco’s innovation is part of a broader push to create a “quantum internet,” where interconnected quantum devices could perform complex calculations and share data across global networks, potentially transforming industries such as healthcare, finance and cybersecurity.-The Capital Post