NEC has abandoned development of a quantum computer, citing the level of investment needed and the long time to profitability.
A practical, commercial quantum computer is over a decade away, executives at Japanese IT services company NEC are reported as saying.
That’s why, according to Japanese news publication The Mainichi, company has pulled the plug on its plans to develop a quantum computer — although it will still continue research into quantum technology.
NEC sources told The Mainichi that it would take at least a decade to build a quantum computing that could be put to practical use, and it would be difficult to monetize the technology.
This is quite a turnaround for NEC which three years ago was talking about its advances in quantum and its plans to accelerate investment in the technology. The company is certainly bucking the trend as quantum computing is seen as being very much at the cutting edge of research. Pioneers in the field were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics last year, while companies such as Nvidia and IBM are keen to boost their quantum credentials.
Despite its early successes in the quantum field, The Mainichi reports that NEC is lagging its Japanese competitors such as Fujitsu and Hitachi when it comes to the latest advances.
There is also the level of investment required. According to The Mainichi, Japan is set to commit just 10 trillion yen ($65.3 billion) to quantum computing by 2040, far lower than the sums invested by the US and China.
We’re talking about a long game. Quantum technology has been talked about for some time, but we’re still a long way from seeing the technology in the mainstream. NEC may not be the only company to decide the cost of investment is not worth it.
This article first appeared on CIO.
