IonQ and Florida LambdaRail have announced an agreement to establish a nearly 100-mile quantum corridor stretching from Palm Beach County to Miami-Dade County, marking an advanced step in the United States toward quantum-secure communications. The Master Service Agreement, announced at the 2026 eMerge Americas Conference + Expo, will utilize IonQ’s quantum key distribution (QKD) technology, enabling detection of any interception attempt and strengthening protection against future cyber threats. “Creating a statewide quantum network in Florida will be a major milestone in the deployment of IonQ’s global quantum platform,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ. By leveraging the existing Florida LambdaRail fiber network, the initiative aims to move quantum technology from laboratory settings into real-world application, potentially enabling scalable quantum-secure connectivity across the state.
IonQ and Florida LambdaRail Launch Quantum-Safe Network Initiative
A nearly 100-mile quantum corridor is under development in Florida, promising a significant improvement in securing digital communications against future threats. IonQ and Florida LambdaRail (FLR) have entered a Master Service Agreement to establish this corridor, initially connecting research and education institutions between Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County. This collaboration focuses on building a network capable of detecting any interception attempt, leveraging the principles of physics rather than mathematical complexity for security. This system will be integrated into FLR’s existing 1,540-mile dark fiber network, allowing for immediate real-world deployment instead of remaining confined to laboratory testing. The move comes as advances in quantum computing pose a growing risk to current encryption standards, prompting proactive measures to protect data from future decryption. Florida LambdaRail, a nonprofit network serving universities and research entities, will serve as the foundational backbone for this quantum-safe infrastructure.
Jason Ball, chair of the Florida LambdaRail Board of Directors and associate provost and chief information officer at Florida Atlantic University, stated that he is confident this public and private project will accelerate scalable quantum-secure connectivity across the state. Matt Cimaglia, Managing Partner of Quantum Coast Capital, highlighted the broader implications, noting that this effort reflects a shift in how infrastructure is being designed. The initial phase is expected to expand statewide, contingent on future funding and collaboration.
Florida LambdaRail Infrastructure Supports Initial 100-Mile Quantum Corridor
The groundwork for a quantum-secured communications network in Florida is now being laid, leveraging the existing infrastructure of Florida LambdaRail (FLR). This targeted approach allows for practical deployment, moving beyond laboratory experimentation and into a real-world environment, a key advantage given FLR’s existing 1,540-mile dark fiber network. The system will use IonQ’s quantum key distribution (QKD) technology, enabling detection of any interception attempt and strengthening protection against future cyber threats. The system’s design proactively addresses the threat quantum computing poses to current encryption standards, a concern prompting similar initiatives in Switzerland and Romania. According to a representative, “Florida LambdaRail’s collaboration with IonQ in this innovative quantum initiative will enable partner universities, researchers, and students to move quantum from the lab setting to real-world deployment.” By aligning networks, institutions, and investment, Florida is laying the groundwork for a quantum ecosystem that has the potential to drive innovation, attract talent, and support new opportunities across the state. Following the initial corridor’s completion, expansion across the FLR network is planned, contingent on continued funding and participation.
Creating a statewide quantum network in Florida will mark another major milestone in the deployment of IonQ’s global quantum platform.
IonQ’s QKD Technology Enables Secure Communication & Threat Detection
IonQ is extending its quantum capabilities beyond computation, partnering with Florida LambdaRail (FLR) to establish a secure communication network across the state. This collaboration centers on bolstering cybersecurity through quantum key distribution (QKD) technology, enabling detection of any interception attempt and strengthening protection against future cyber threats. The initial phase will construct a nearly 100-mile quantum corridor connecting research institutions in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, leveraging FLR’s existing 1,540-mile dark fiber infrastructure. This project builds on similar efforts in Switzerland and Romania, addressing the risk of future decryption of today’s encrypted data by introducing quantum networking.
We’re confident that this public and private project will be a catalyst to accelerate scalable quantum-secure connectivity across the state.”
99% Two-Qubit Fidelity Achieved, Advancing Quantum Performance
The pursuit of stable quantum computation took a significant leap forward as IonQ achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity in 2025, a world record demonstrating increasing control over the delicate states underpinning quantum processing. This level of accuracy is not merely an incremental improvement; it directly addresses a core challenge in building practical quantum computers, where errors rapidly accumulate during complex calculations. While previous generations hovered around 99.5%, the near-perfect fidelity substantially reduces the need for extensive error correction, streamlining computations and opening doors to more sophisticated algorithms. This advancement is particularly relevant as the Florida LambdaRail (FLR) and IonQ collaborate on a quantum-safe network initiative. Unlike conventional encryption vulnerable to future quantum attacks, QKD enables detection of any interception attempt, ensuring secure communication by alerting users to potential breaches.
This effort reflects a broader shift in how infrastructure is being designed. By aligning networks, institutions, and investment, Florida is laying the groundwork for a quantum ecosystem that has the potential to drive innovation, attract talent, and support new opportunities across the state.”
