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, the 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 computer that could be put to practical use, and that 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.
Quantum technology has been discussed for some time, but mainstream adoption remains a long way off. NEC may not be the last company to conclude that the cost of investment outweighs the near-term returns.
