D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) stock jumped over 20% on Monday after AT&T signed an agreement to expand the use of the company’s quantum computing technology across its network operations.

The rally reflects more than one deal. Early results suggest quantum computing is already solving practical business problems, years ahead of the timelines many observers expected.

AT&T Expands D-Wave Quantum Computing Across Its Network

The telecom giant announced plans to apply D-Wave’s annealing quantum systems to complex optimization challenges across its network. In early work, one network optimization workload dropped from roughly one hour to under 15 seconds.

AT&T will first layer the technology into the agentic artificial intelligence (AI) tools that already run parts of its network. Those tools reduced customer downtime by 12 million hours in 2025, according to the company.

Broader applications may follow, including outage detection and response, technician routing, network build planning, and traffic management. AT&T is also evaluating D-Wave’s upcoming gate-model systems for quantum security and communications. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Founded in 1999, D-Wave was the first company to sell commercial quantum computers. More than 100 organizations across business, government, and research now use its systems and cloud services.

Experts Say Quantum Is No Longer a Future Technology

Charles Edwards, founder of Capriole Investments and a member of BeInCrypto’s Market Intelligence Expert Council, argued the AT&T results confirm a deeper shift:

“Quantum technology is used TODAY. A 1hr task cut to 15 seconds at AT&T. These are the kind of innovations quantum is going to deliver across every industry in the next 5 years.”

The same theme dominated a recent BeInCrypto Future Tech and AI Experts Council panel. Daniela Herrmann, CEO and co-founder of quantum computing firm Dynex, described how expectations keep collapsing.

“In 2024, I was on stage and we said quantum computing will be here in 30 years. Then in 2025 it dropped to 15 to 20 years. Then in 2026, three to five to ten. … The market moves faster, innovation moves faster, than it was communicated.”

Meanwhile, the crypto industry follows these advances closely. Falling qubit requirements could eventually threaten Bitcoin’s cryptography, which makes practical quantum progress a double-edged story for digital assets.

QBTS Stock Breaks Out of Six-Week Downtrend

On the daily chart, QBTS gained 20.36% on Monday and closed at $19.51. The rally broke the descending trendline that had capped the price since June 2.

The breakout also reclaimed the support area around $18, while a sharp rise in trading volume confirmed the move. The next resistance zones sit near $21.50 and $24.50.

However, the stock remains well below its late-May peak above $31. A close above $21.50 could signal a lasting reversal, while rejection there may send the price back toward the $18 area.

Quantum adoption stories like AT&T’s may keep investor attention on the sector in the coming weeks. Panelists explored what quantum progress means for Bitcoin in BeInCrypto’s recent Q-Day feature, and the full expert discussion is available below.

Source: BeInCrypto