#skyloom

Summary

In January 2026, quantum technology leader IonQ acquired high-speed optical communications expert Skyloom Global Corp. This acquisition-planned action enhances IonQ's goal to dominate secure communications and quantum networking, as stated in November 2025. IonQ uses Skyloom's lightwave optics and robust data transfer to accelerate secure communications and scalable quantum networking. This improves IonQ's ability to serve government and defense sectors with cutting-edge photonic systems and quantum key distribution infrastructure.

Skyloom's leadership team will facilitate technical integration for aerospace and commercial clients. This acquisition is a big step toward IonQ's objective of controlling all technology layers needed for distributed quantum entanglement. The deal solidifies IonQ's position as a global provider of full-stack quantum-secure solutions.

A Scalable Quantum Networking Vision

The IonQ leadership sees the acquisition as crucial to the future computing infrastructure. Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ, said the agreement is important to scalable quantum networking. De Masi says Skyloom has the “proven optical and communications expertise” IonQ needs for ultra-secure connectivity and distributed quantum entanglement.

These details add external context and are not in the sources cited: Quantum entanglement occurs when two particles stay coupled regardless of distance and instantly affect one other. Distributed entanglement is the foundation of a “Quantum Internet” that may deliver unhackable communication and massive processing power improvements via networked quantum computers. Check these technical meanings yourself.

IonQ acquired Skyloom to own all necessary technological layers for these cutting-edge capabilities. This includes serving Skyloom's premier defense, aerospace, and government customers.

Skyloom Tech Contributions

American firm Skyloom leads high-performance lightwave optics technology development. They specialize in photonic systems engineering, secure data transfer, and free-space optical communications. These technologies allow high-bandwidth, low-latency, and resilient communication for modern military and commercial applications that require security and performance.

The new organizational structure will place Skyloom CEO Marc Eisenberg and his management team in charge of the business unit. They will prioritize and sustain service for current clients while following IonQ's technical goal to expand quantum-enabled domains. IonQ claims this combination will boost government-business partnerships.

The “Full-Stack” Method: Purchases

The Skyloom deal is the next ambitious purchase to create a unique, full-stack, quantum-secure communications platform. To understand IonQ's recent success, one needs look at their history of acquiring specialized technology companies, including:

Space Capella

Lightsynq

Vector Atomic

An ID Quantique supermajority.

IonQ Acquires Skyloom Global in Landmark Deal to Define Global Quantum Networking Architecture

IonQ, the world's leading quantum company and pioneer in quantum computing, announced that it has acquired Skyloom Global, a U.S. leader in high-performance optical communications infrastructure. This smart move will expedite IonQ's ambition of building a global quantum networking and sensor infrastructure. IonQ's position in distributed quantum entanglement and quantum-secure communications is instantly boosted by the acquisition.

The acquisition consolidates the nascent quantum ecosystem as IonQ asserts its position as the only business creating the whole quantum technology stack.

Skyloom Technology: Quantum Data's Backbone Since its creation in 2017, Skyloom has been a leading optical communications terminal supplier. High-speed, secure data exchanges between orbiting satellites and Earth require these upgraded OCTs. Modern laser communications, which offer more capacity and security than RF systems, are ideal for quantum applications.

Skyloom is the leading SDA-qualified OCT provider. This accreditation for top-priority defence and national security gear is important. Skyloom has proved it can create this complicated hardware in big quantities; by 2025, it expects to have deployed nearly 90 terminals for SDA missions. IonQ's industrial experience allows it to mass-produce the communication components needed for a widely deployed quantum network, unlike quantum hardware's often customised, low-volume production.

Quantum Networking and Entanglement Acceleration IonQ's leadership sees the acquisition of Skyloom as a major acceleration that will expand the company's focus beyond quantum computing to safe transmission of quantum states and data. “This acquisition marks a pivotal acceleration for IonQ by adding high-bandwidth optical link capabilities to global quantum platform,” said IonQ Chairman and CEO Niccolo de Masi. He said these optical links will constitute the “backbone for quantum-secure communications and next-generation quantum networking and distributed quantum entanglement infrastructure”.

The ability to produce and distribute quantum entanglement, which keeps two particles together regardless their distance, is the main benefit. This expertise is necessary to build a quantum internet. Skyloom's technology gives IonQ high-capacity, low-latency channels for quantum state transmission. This allows genuinely distributed quantum computing and safe long-distance communication. The acquisition is expected to expand IonQ's total addressable market (TAM) to include the fast-growing quantum sensing data transfer and quantum-secure satellite communications industries.

Dramatic Performance Improvements

Skyloom's optical networking technology integrated into IonQ's infrastructure platform should boost performance immediately. The purchase could boost data throughput for critical data-intensive applications including financial modelling, logistics, and defence.

IonQ aims to boost data throughput by 500%. The pact also pledges to cut transmission times for critical applications from hours to less than an hour. This innovative reduction allows complex global systems to process and decide rapidly. A world where orbital assets are increasingly vital for scientific and intelligence investigation will require the ability to instantly download massive amounts of quantum sensor data. IonQ's goods will downlink faster with Skyloom's technology.

Full-Stack Quantum Ecosystem Solidification

Skyloom's acquisition is part of IonQ's attempts to develop full-stack quantum-secure communications solutions. IonQ continues its aggressive acquisition strategy to own and control the whole quantum technology value chain with this deal.

The company's recent large purchases show its commitment to building the stack, including:

Quantum entanglement dispersion research by Qubitekk.

Capella Space uses satellites and geodata.

Lightsynq, an optical clock technologies company.

A super-majority stake in ID Quantique, a leading supplier of quantum key distribution (QKD) technology for quantum-secure communications.

By acquiring Skyloom's OCTs, IonQ becomes the only multinational company actively developing and integrating the entire stack, from quantum compute engines like IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise to quantum sensing and secure quantum communications infrastructure. IonQ handles all technological layers for distributed quantum entanglement and internationally ultra-secure communication with Skyloom.

Outlook for Leadership

Skyloom CEO Marc Eisenberg was pleased to say that joining IonQ would transform Skyloom and forward its aim of unleashing secure space communications. He said they are accelerating their roadmap and “defining the architecture for future quantum-secure communications and networking infrastructure” by combining IonQ's quantum capabilities with Skyloom's OCT technology.

IonQ is also accelerating its technical roadmap to build 2 million qubit devices by 2030. This effort aims to unlock innovation in materials research, medicine development, complex financial modelling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defence. With Skyloom's sophisticated optical connectivity, IonQ's quantum networking breakthroughs are well-positioned to lead the fight for a safe and functional quantum internet.