SUMMARYIBM is preparing to scale its quantum computing efforts by turning years of research into a commercial business. The company plans to create Anderon, an independent subsidiary that will manufacture silicon wafers for quantum processors, backed by $1 billion from the Trump administration and $1 billion from IBM. IBM also plans to spend $9 billion over five years to develop the fault-tolerant Starling quantum computer, targeted for 2029, while positioning itself for a larger market by 2040.
IBM spent a decade "building, testing and improving" quantum computing, reports the Wall Street Journal.
"This year, the company is laying the groundwork to turn that technology into a fully-fledged, scalable business from an expensive science project."
IBM said last month it plans to form a new independent subsidiary called Anderon, a foundry to produce the silicon wafers needed to make quantum-computing processors. The venture is seeded by a $1 billion investment from the Trump administration and another $1 billion of IBM's own cash. Anderon will give the company a new line of business in selling wafers to other quantum-computing companies. It will also provide a steady stream of wafers to continue developing its own quantum technology, positioning IBM to capture part of what the Boston Consulting Group projects will be a $90 billion to $170 billion market for quantum-computing providers by 2040...
The company also plans to spend an additional $9 billion over five years to advance the final stages of its quest to build a quantum-mechanics-powered computer capable and reliable enough for widespread use, a goal known as fault tolerance. That computer, named Starling, is being targeted for 2029. With Anderon, IBM is thinking beyond Starling, or even a more powerful quantum computer planned for 2033.