Insider Brief
D-Wave Quantum Inc. and NTT DOCOMO, Inc. announced successful results from a quantum optimization pilot, demonstrating a 15% reduction in paging signals at mobile base stations, improving network performance and efficiency. The pilot used D-Wave's hybrid quantum technology to optimize tracking of mobile devices between base stations, significantly reducing data processing time — from 27 hours to just 40 seconds compared to traditional methods. Following the successful pilot in Japan's Tokai, Chugoku, and Kyushu regions, DOCOMO aims to expand the deployment of this quantum computing solution across its operations to improve network efficiency and manage growing traffic without additional infrastructure investments.
PRESS RELEASE — D-Wave Quantum Inc., a leader in quantum computing systems, software and services and the world's first commercial supplier of quantum computers, and NTT DOCOMO Inc., Japan's largest mobile operator with more than 90 million subscribers, today announced a quantum optimization pilot that resulted in notable improvements in mobile network performance. Using D-Wave's annealing quantum computing solution, DOCOMO discovered it could alleviate congestion at base stations by reducing paging signals by 15% during peak call times, potentially leading to increased efficiency and reduced infrastructure costs. The company plans to deploy the hybrid quantum solution in production across its Japan offices in the coming months.
D-Wave's hybrid quantum technology was used to optimize base station tracking areas (small geographical regions) where paging signals are collectively transmitted and which process vast amounts of historical data about device movements between base stations to help Docomo predict future movement patterns and determine the best combination of base stations to re-establish connections as devices move between tracking areas.
The efficiency of this solution was demonstrated in pilot tests in specific areas of Japan (Tokai, Chugoku, and Kyushu regions) compared to traditional methods. While a general-purpose solver took 27 hours, D-Wave's hybrid solver completed the same task in just 40 seconds. Test results showed that quantum optimization reduced paging signals by 15%, allowing approximately 1.2 times more devices to be connected during high call volume periods. This increased bandwidth of base station resources has the potential to significantly reduce congestion, helping to maintain high-quality network traffic flows even during periods of heavy usage. More information about the pilot is available in English and Japanese here and here.
“We expect that our quantum optimization strategy will further improve network efficiency and enable us to maintain high quality of service even as network traffic increases without additional infrastructure investment,” said Takatoshi Okagawa, director of research and development strategy at NTT Docomo. “With D-Wave's hybrid quantum technology, we aim to set a new standard in operational performance in the telecommunications industry.”
“Telecommunications operators face increasingly complex operations, from the rollout of 5G to changing consumer demands, and need new solutions to stay competitive,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. “The success of Docomo's pilot clearly demonstrates that quantum technology today has the potential to solve complex optimization problems for telecommunications operators, leading to improved customer satisfaction, sustained network performance, and mitigated spiraling infrastructure costs.”
Following the success of the pilot, DOCOMO plans to deploy the annealing quantum computing solution in production at its branches across Japan. The company is also exploring opportunities to apply quantum optimization across its business divisions, including finance, retail, transportation and logistics, and construction.