MWC Barcelona 2026 served as the launchpad for a collaboration between the GSMA and QCentroid, signaling a concrete move toward applying quantum computing to telecommunications challenges. The partnership has moved from an initial phase of exploration and use case identification into a methodical stage focused on defining, preparing, and modelling telecom-relevant use cases for quantum experimentation. This shift reflects a broader industry transition from awareness of quantum computing toward early-stage validation. The objective, according to the collaboration, is to support operators in moving from interest in quantum computing to practical readiness.
GSMA/QCentroid Framework Drives Telecom Quantum Transition
Sixty percent of telecom operators globally now include quantum technologies in their strategic roadmaps, a figure signaling a rapid shift from theoretical exploration to concrete planning, according to recent GSMA Intelligence research. This growing industry momentum is being actively channeled by a collaborative framework established by the GSMA and QCentroid, designed to accelerate the transition from initial interest in quantum computing toward practical experimentation and validation.
Currently, the focus isn’t immediate deployment, but rather building a robust foundation for experimentation by clearly defining use cases and understanding operational and economic constraints, a strategy the GSMA and QCentroid are facilitating through detailed technical modelling and business case assessments. The teams have translated complex network challenges into well-defined optimisation problems, aligning them with hybrid quantum-classical methods currently available, and creating a template for converting telecom problems into quantum approaches.
This approach contrasts with traditional radio frequency planning techniques, which generate high-resolution datasets requiring extensive processing for each network configuration; quantum-inspired methods instead reformulate the problem as an optimisation framework, systematically evaluating configurations to identify the most efficient outcome. The collaboration’s objective is to provide a structured framework for quantum adoption, encompassing use case prioritisation, economic impact assessment, and actionable implementation pathways, enabling operators to confidently take initial steps.
This framework provides a clear path for identifying relevant use cases, assessing feasibility, preparing for experimentation, building internal knowledge, and achieving performance benchmarks, all crucial elements for operators seeking to navigate the complexities of quantum technology. “From exploration to structured execution,” the collaboration describes the current phase, indicating a move away from broad industry discussions toward a more grounded, execution-oriented approach aligned with the current state of quantum computing technologies. The collaboration asserts, highlighting the programme’s role in facilitating tangible progress toward quantum readiness for telecom operators.
Operator Readiness: Quantum Roadmaps and Investment Trends
Telecom operators are increasingly translating theoretical interest in quantum computing into concrete planning, with 60 percent now including quantum technologies on their roadmaps according to recent GSMA Intelligence research. This detailed preparation includes the development of mathematical frameworks to convert network problems into quantum programs, alongside assessments of data requirements, operational constraints, and economic considerations for near-term applications. A crucial component of this work is an outcome and benchmarking framework designed to track how quantum performance will scale, enabling a clearer understanding of relevant problems and systematic approaches to experimentation.
The programme’s focus on practical application is yielding tangible results, allowing operators to move beyond broad discussions and towards structured execution, aligned with the current capabilities of quantum computing technologies. The collaborative work is designed to bridge the gap between understanding quantum’s potential and identifying actionable implementation pathways, a challenge that has long hampered wider adoption.
Operators such as Telefónica, Orange, NTT Docomo, and Telstra are already launching pilots to explore quantum computing’s impact on network planning, operation, and security, while the GSMA’s Quantum Networks and Services group recently recommended exploring quantum computing for near-future planning applications.
Four Telecom Use Cases Prioritized for Experimentation
Telecom operators are now actively modelling four specific use cases for quantum computing, moving beyond broad exploration toward structured experimentation, according to the GSMA and QCentroid collaboration. These prioritized applications, urban densification via small cell placement and real-time network anomaly detection, represent a deliberate focus on near-term relevance and practical implementation.
Early industry activity is also accelerating, with operators launching pilots to explore the impact of quantum computing on network planning, operation, and security, while the GSMA’s Quantum Networks and Services (QNS) group recently published a recommendation to explore quantum computing for planning in the near future.
The collaborative work has yielded mathematical frameworks designed to translate complex network challenges into programs suitable for quantum processors, alongside detailed analyses of data requirements and operational limitations inherent in existing network models. The partnership has also developed economic considerations to assess the potential business impact of these early-stage applications, allowing for a more informed evaluation of return on investment.
This framework, according to the collaboration, enables “a clearer understanding of which problems are most relevant, how they can be approached in a systematic way, and how they can be prepared for meaningful experimentation.” The emphasis on defining a clear pathway from initial interest to execution is a key differentiator for this programme. The urban densification use case, for example, focuses on optimising the placement of small cells in densely populated areas to improve service quality and reduce congestion, all while managing rollout costs and operational constraints. Simultaneously, the network anomaly detection use case aims to identify and mitigate real-time threats like distributed denial-of-service attacks, port scanning, and data exfiltration, enhancing network security.
The programme’s approach is not solely focused on technological advancement; it also prioritises building internal expertise within telecom companies. This approach is intended to empower operators to take concrete steps toward quantum readiness, rather than remaining passive observers of the technology’s development.
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