Agreement positions EPB to be the first utility company in the world to commercially offer quantum computing, secure quantum networking, and application development
Partnership establishes Tennessee as a significant U.S. quantum economy that will develop a quantum-ready workforce through specialized training opportunities
COLLEGE PARK, Md., April 25, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), the leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, today announced the joint development of a new quantum innovation center with EPB of Chattanooga, a leading energy and communications company. This strategic partnership will further establish Chattanooga as the catalyst in Tennessee's emergence as the national hub for quantum innovation. The EPB Quantum Center will house a state-of-the art IonQ Forte Enterprise quantum computer that will be shared by both companies. In addition, the Center will house the existing EPB Quantum Network which IonQ already supports – establishing Chattanooga, Tennessee as the first quantum computing & networking hub in the U.S.
Through the partnership, IonQ will establish an office in Chattanooga to provide quantum computing, networking, and application development support and training. This will allow IonQ to provide specialized training for quantum developers and the two companies to work closely in jointly creating quantum computing algorithms designed for energy grid optimization.
"This partnership represents more than just a technological milestone, it’s a pivotal step in building a quantum economy and IonQ ecosystem in Tennessee," said Niccolo de Masi, President and CEO of IonQ. "By delivering our Forte Enterprise-class quantum capabilities to Chattanooga, we’re expanding our quantum access to customers across the state and working together to drive long-term economic growth for Chattanooga."
"By establishing Chattanooga as the first U.S. hub for quantum computing and networking, we stand ready to work with companies and researchers across the nation to accelerate the development of real-world applications for quantum technology," said David Wade, EPB CEO. "Our mission-driven effort to enhance quality of life for our community by playing a catalytic role in the development of new quantum technologies aligns with the national priority of developing quantum technologies for security, business optimization and global competitiveness."
IonQ’s Forte Enterprise system is a powerful, data center-ready quantum computer designed with a low energy profile, rack-mounted form factor and minimal environmental isolation requirements. As IonQ’s highest performing quantum computer, Forte Enterprise delivers an algorithmic qubit count of #AQ36 and industry-leading gate and measurement accuracy that enable Forte Enterprise to tackle large problems and real-world commercial applications that drive business value.
The addition of an IonQ quantum computer in the EPB Quantum Center adds to IonQ’s growing global footprint, with quantum systems in Basel, Switzerland and Rome, NY, and IonQ data centers in Maryland, Washington state and Switzerland.
Today’s news marks the latest step in IonQ’s continued presence in Tennessee and builds on the company’s longstanding partnerships with local companies and academic institutions, including the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. IonQ and Ansys achieved a major quantum computing milestone with quantum computing outperforming classical computing when designing important life-saving medical devices. The quantum optimization method which this achievement was based on was pioneered at the Tennessee-based Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and successfully implemented on IonQ quantum computers. The company is also the primary technology partner for the EPB Quantum Network further expanding its role in advancing regional quantum networking technologies.
To learn more about IonQ and its latest innovations, visit https://ionq.com.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. is a leader in the quantum computing and networking industries, delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world’s largest and most complex commercial and research use cases. IonQ’s current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems, boasting 36 algorithmic qubits. The company’s innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek’s 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes’ 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In’s 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.
About EPB
EPB is a customer-focused technology company that delivers innovative energy and communications solutions to the Chattanooga area in pursuit of its mission to enhance the quality of life for the community it serves. In 2010, EPB completed a 100% fiber optic network accessible to all its customers as the basis for launching America's first community-wide Gig speed internet. The company still operates the world's fastest community-wide internet service today at speeds up to 25 Gig. EPB also utilizes Chattanooga's fiber optic network as the communications backbone for the most advanced and highly automated power distribution system in the United States. In 2022, EPB continued its commitment to keeping Chattanooga on the cutting edge by establishing our nation's first commercially available quantum network—EPB Quantum Network℠ . This effort aligns local job creation efforts with the national priority to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technology.
Since switching the lights on for its first electric customer in 1939, EPB has grown to serve nearly a half a million people across a 600-square-mile service area with cutting-edge infrastructure that integrates power distribution and telecommunications. At the same time, EPB keeps customer benefit at the center of all its efforts, earning recognition from J.D. Power as the #1 Mid-Sized Utility in the South for the last nine consecutive years based on customer satisfaction ratings. Learn more at epb.com.
IonQ Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the terms "will," "further," "building," "creating," "expanding," "long term" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to EPB and the region becoming a national leader in quantum innovation, computing and networking; the expected collaboration between IonQ and EPB; expansion of the market for access to IonQ’s systems and the Tennessee economy; IonQ’s quantum computing capabilities and plans; and the potential benefits of IonQ’s strategic partnerships. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: IonQ’s ability to implement its business plans and technical roadmap; changes in the industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ’s business; market adoption of quantum computing solutions and IonQ’s products, services and solutions; any disruptions and other problems with IonQ’s operations including research and development, hardware, systems, components or facilities; IonQ’s ability to attract and retain its key employees and other personnel with specialized knowledge; any changes or inadequacies in IonQ’s quantum computing and networking capabilities and plans; IonQ’s relatively limited history in development quantum networking technologies; and the capability of our quantum systems and quantum networks to provide certain capabilities and advantages. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s filings, including but not limited to those described in the "Risk Factors" section of IonQ’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by IonQ from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. IonQ may or may not choose to practice or otherwise use the inventions described in the issued patents in the future.
