Telefonica News: Launching The Quantum Telco At MWC 2026
Telefónica news today
The 2026 Mobile World Congress (MWC) marks a turning point in the worldwide telecoms sector. A deeper, more fundamental shift than in previous years, which focused on 5G and AI, is shaping this year's story. Telefónica announced its “Quantum Telco” ambition to bring quantum technology from labs to the global digital economy.
Telefónica's proposal is an industrial-scale toolbox, not a 10-year strategy. The project aims to use quantum physics' complexity to improve public and commercial organizations' safety, effectiveness, and competitiveness.
Four Quantum Telco Pillars
The “Quantum Telco” concept is based on quantum ecosystems, applied quantum computing, quantum-safe communications, and a cryptographic hub.
Quantum-Safe Communications: Stopping “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later”
Telefónica prioritizes “harvest now, decrypt later” defense. Malevolent actors intercept and store encrypted data to decipher it when quantum computers are available.
To combat this, Telefónica is the first commercial communication provider protected by post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The company offered three MWC options:
Data Center Interconnection (CPD): Adtran hardware protects big sensitive data transfers between processing centers and company headquarters. Fortinet-developed Q-Safe Office Communications secures office-to-office connectivity against quantum decryption.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD): Telefónica and Luxquanta used quantum mechanics to physically distribute cryptographic keys.
Building a Quantum Ecosystem: Javier Echenique Center Telefónica designs the European quantum infrastructure, not merely supplies quantum technologies. The Javier Echenique Talent and Technology Center in Bilbao's BIQAIN quantum cluster is crucial to this effort.
This Fujitsu Digital Annealer plant is a quantum development lighthouse. Telefónica queried the Bilbao-based system in real time to solve complex logistical and network design difficulties during congress demonstrations. Telefónica and partners like Würth are employing “quantum-inspired” technology to build more efficient fiber-optic and 5G networks and optimize supply chains.
Quantum Computing Revolutionizes Healthcare and Research
The 54-qubit IQM Radiance quantum computer from IQM Quantum Computers is Telefónica's MWC booth centerpiece. This hardware is specifically made to work in unison with traditional supercomputing facilities. Telefónica said the Supercomputing Center of Galicia (CESGA) will get this system for local science.
Perhaps the most human-centric application is a partnership between UFV and Vithas Group. Researchers are discovering compounds to fight particular mutations, such as the BRAF V600E mutant in cancer, much more quickly than is possible with conventional silicon-based computing by using quantum computing for intelligent drug design.
A Cryptographic Hub for Digital Resilience
Legacy IT system transitions remain a major challenge for organizations moving toward quantum. In response, Telefónica launched the Quantum-Safe Cryptographic Hub, which assists businesses in assessing their present risks and implementing “crypto-agility,” the capacity to quickly swap encryption algorithms in response to emerging threats.
The IBM LinuxONE server, which has hardware that is naturally suited for post-quantum situations, is an essential part of this center. Telefónica Tech is leveraging this technology to help organizations switch to new algorithms without service interruptions to protect digital assets for years to come.
Real-World Validation: Securing the Healthcare Sector
Critical real-world circumstances are validating the “Quantum Telco” idea. Telefónica demonstrated a groundbreaking quantum-safe connectivity between Vithas Madrid Arturo Soria and La Milagrosa hospitals. Telefónica and Vithas are raising the bar for healthcare cybersecurity by protecting vital sign monitoring, medical imaging, and sensitive patient records from potential quantum threats.
A Pragmatist Vision
Telefónica’s leadership makes it clear that this is not just a pipe dream. According to Juan Cambeiro, Head of Applied Quantum Projects at Telefónica Spain, “Quantum Telco shows that quantum technologies are no longer a promise for the future, but a reality that Telefónica is making available to its customers today.” He pointed out that the ultimate objective is to increase the security and efficiency of businesses, which benefits society as a whole in many ways.
Conclusion: A Collaborative Future
Strategic alliances are the cornerstone of Telefónica’s success in this field. The operator is making sure that the global communication infrastructure is not only prepared for the “Quantum Age,” but also more resilient than ever by working with industry titans and specialist innovators like IBM, Adtran, Fortinet, Fujitsu, IQM, and Luxquanta.
A round table titled “Telefónica Quantum Telco: Your Partner of Reference for Applied Quantum Technology” will provide a deeper look at how these developments will reshape telecommunications over the next ten years for those attending MWC. Telefónica has made it plain that the quantum future is not coming; rather, it has already arrivedas the digital landscape changes.
