China's QuantumCTek Advances Hardware and Commercial Deployments in Hefei

Chinese quantum developer QuantumCTek has delivered six superconducting quantum computing systems and expanded its commercial services, according to state media reports from an industry visit in Hefei. The company has deployed systems including the Tianyan-287 and Tianyan-504, integrated domestic dilution refrigerators, and recorded more than 6 million users for its quantum-encrypted calling and messaging services. Supported by regional infrastructure and Anhui province's target of creating thousands of application scenarios by 2030, the company also reported that quantum computing revenue surpassed quantum communication revenue in the first half of the year.

The transition of quantum technologies from academic research laboratories to operational deployments represents a crucial phase in establishing an independent hardware and software supply chain. QuantumCTek's delivery of complete superconducting systems, coupled with domestic progress in cryogenic dilution refrigeration, demonstrates incremental reduction of reliance on foreign instrumentation. Concurrently, the uptake of quantum-encrypted SIM cards and public infrastructure networks indicates an effort to build commercial viability across both quantum computing and communications.

In early September, state media visited the Hefei High-tech Zone in Anhui province, spotlighting recent industrialization efforts at quantum equipment developer QuantumCTek, officially known as QuantumCTek Co., Ltd. The showcase focused on the company's dual tracks: commercializing superconducting quantum computing hardware and deploying wide-area quantum communication services. According to Gu Fengbo, head of user services at QuantumCTek, the company has delivered six complete superconducting quantum computing machines to date. Among these, the Tianyan-287—equipped with the same series of processor as the Zuchongzhi-3 research system—has completed acceptance testing, reportedly resolving specific benchmarking problems 450 million times faster than conventional supercomputers. The company has also placed the Tianyan-504, which features the highest qubit count for a single system in China, into operation. Its Tianyan quantum computing cloud platform has logged more than 50 million visits from users across over 60 countries and regions. Key to these computing systems is cryogenic infrastructure. QuantumCTek highlighted its integration of the EZQ F1500 series dilution refrigerator, introduced in June, which provides the low-temperature, low-noise environment required for superconducting qubits. Gu noted that domestic development of dilution refrigerators and control systems has resolved previous procurement bottlenecks, contributing to a shift in the first half of the year where the company's quantum computing revenue overtook its quantum communication business. Alongside computing hardware, QuantumCTek showcased consumer and enterprise applications in quantum secure communication. Company test engineer Liu Di demonstrated 'Quantum Secret Call' technology, which uses quantum SIM cards to apply real-time encryption keys to voice calls. According to company figures, users of its encrypted call and messaging services now exceed 6 million. These retail offerings rely on expanding local and national physical infrastructure. Hefei's municipal quantum metropolitan network covers 1,147 kilometers across eight core stations and 159 access points, linking roughly 500 party and government bodies and 380 corporate entities. At the national level, the ground-based trunk network for quantum secure communication spans more than 12,000 kilometers and connects approximately 80 cities. Beyond communications, QuantumCTek noted the deployment of cold atom gravimeters to geological and disaster-mitigation agencies in multiple provinces, as well as operational trials for single-photon imaging radar in water and energy sectors. Regional authorities in Anhui are currently executing a 'thousand scenarios' initiative, which aims to establish 1,000 practical quantum application use cases by 2027 and expand to 3,000 by 2030.