TLDR
- D-Wave Quantum announced an expanded partnership with AT&T to deploy annealing quantum computing across new areas
- AT&T will use the technology for outage detection and traffic management
- QBTS jumped 7.1% in premarket trading following the announcement
- Other quantum stocks also rose, with IonQ, Rigetti, and Quantinuum all gaining
- The deal builds on an earlier collaboration where D-Wave cut a one-hour task to under 15 seconds
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) stock jumped 7.1% in premarket trading on Monday after the company announced an expanded partnership with AT&T (T).
AT&T will now deploy D-Wave’s annealing quantum computers across additional areas of its network operations, including outage detection and traffic management.
The two companies had an existing relationship. AT&T previously used D-Wave’s technology in a limited capacity, including one application that reduced a network optimization task from one hour to under 15 seconds.
AT&T EXPANDS USE OF D-WAVE QUANTUM COMPUTING ACROSS NETWORK OPERATIONS$T has signed an agreement with $QBTS to apply its annealing quantum technology to complex network optimization problems.
In early work, AT&T says the technology cut processing time for one network… pic.twitter.com/RfD3fsRVXk
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) July 27, 2026
This expansion marks a bigger commitment from the telecom giant. AT&T projects the technology could save customers around 12 million hours of downtime.
The news gave the broader quantum sector a lift. IonQ (IONQ) gained 3.8%, Rigetti Computing (RGTI) rose 3.4%, and Quantinuum (QNT) added 2.8%.
QBTS had risen by double digits earlier in the session before pulling back to the 7.1% gain.
Commercial Traction Signals Growing Demand
For D-Wave, commercial deals like this one are key to its growth story. The company has also previously disclosed partnerships with Anduril and Davidson Technologies.
CEO Alan Baratz said Anduril’s appearance at D-Wave’s user conference earlier this year “really changed the view of the U.S. government.”
AT&T is one of the most recognizable names in U.S. telecommunications, with around 74 million postpaid and 17 million prepaid customers. Its backing carries weight with investors watching for real-world quantum adoption.
D-Wave pioneered annealing quantum computing, an architecture built for optimization problems. It continues to lean into that niche as competition in the quantum space grows.
D-Wave Eyes Broader Market With Gate-Model Push
The company hasn’t stopped there. D-Wave also acquired Quantum Circuits earlier this year, marking its return to gate-based quantum computing — the approach used by rivals like IBM.
That move was first announced back in 2021. The acquisition made it official.
In June, D-Wave released a technical road map for gate-model systems. It’s targeting a system capable of over one million operations by 2032.
Gate-model systems are more broadly applicable across different problem types, which would allow D-Wave to compete for a wider slice of the quantum market.
The AT&T deal was announced July 27, 2026.
