Two years ago, Quandela’s first commercial photonic quantum computer was inaugurated at OVHcloud’s datacenter in France, in presence of ministers Sylvie Retailleau (Research and Higher Education) and Marina Ferrari (Digital Affairs). What began as a deployment has since become a reference case for a more practical approach to quantum computing; robust, energy-efficient, and designed to operate inside real datacenter infrastructure and above all used to real-world applications: reinforcing security in the cloud.
This article looks at what two years of operation reveal about how photonic quantum systems can move from research environments to real-world use.
In 2024, Quandela delivered MosaiQ, our first factory-built photonic quantum computer, directly into OVHcloud’s datacenter. Unlike laboratory prototypes, this system was engineered to function within a real datacenter environment, fully integrated into a 19-inch rack and compatible with standard cloud infrastructure.
From day one, MosaiQ was designed to embody Quandela’s core engineering philosophy: deployable-by-design, energy-frugal, and capable of delivering real-world utility. Two years of continuous operation now provide concrete evidence that industrial-grade photonic quantum computing can function reliably outside the lab while supporting meaningful applications.
From Laboratory Demonstration to Datacenter Deployment
Photonic quantum computing offers a natural advantage for operational deployment: its hardware is compact, modular, and inherently less dependent on extreme environmental control compared with other technologies. MosaiQ leverages these properties to bridge the gap between research prototypes and operational systems.
The OVHcloud installation marked several firsts:
- The first photonic QPU delivered by Quandela to a private company in Europe.
- The first commercial system designed for datacenter integration rather than laboratory demonstration.
- A 2-qubit, 6-mode architecture fully integrated into a standard 19-inch rack, operating independently and compatible with OVHcloud infrastructure.
The impact of these design choices is evident in operation: the system maintains >90% uptime, fits seamlessly into standard datacenter racks, and runs reliably alongside conventional cloud infrastructure, showing that a compact, modular photonic QPU can perform in production without relying on extensive experimental support systems.
Deployable-by-Design: Engineering Quantum Systems for Real Environments
MosaiQ was created to operate reliably outside the lab, with modular hardware, compact optical components, and integrated controls. OVHcloud’s deployment at the Croix datacenter provides a concrete example of this engineering in action: the system runs within a standard datacenter without requiring specialized infrastructure, while maintaining the precision and stability needed for complex quantum operations.
This installation highlights how thoughtfully engineered photonic systems can bridge the gap between experimental prototypes and fully operational computing environments, enabling industrial-scale use today. By hosting MosaiQ, OVHcloud effectively demonstrates how these capabilities translate into real-world, scalable workflows.
Energy-Frugal Architecture: Kilowatt-Class Photonics
Unlike many experimental quantum systems that require extensive cooling and power resources, MosaiQ operates at roughly 2 kW and uses self-contained cryogenic cooling for its photon sources and detectors, without the need for external fluids or complex infrastructure.
The Croix datacenter provided a live environment to test these capabilities. Despite operating within a standard commercial cloud facility, MosaiQ consistently delivered precision quantum operations while consuming significantly less energy than other quantum computing approaches.
This energy-efficient architecture is not a secondary feature it is central to Quandela’s strategy of making quantum systems operationally viable and scalable.
Resource-Minimal Scaling: Simplicity Meets Performance
MosaiQ’s modular architecture emphasizes lean, resource-efficient design. Fewer components and simplified control systems make deployment, operation, and maintenance straightforward, ensuring that performance is not sacrificed for complexity.
This approach demonstrates that engineering elegance can outperform brute-force scaling. The system can deliver reliable results while minimizing operational overhead, a crucial factor for datacenter-based quantum computing.
Real-World Impact: Quantum Random Numbers for SSL Security
One of the most compelling applications of MosaiQ at OVHcloud is quantum random number generation (QRNG) for SSL certificates. Using Quandela’s patented Entropy protocol, the system generates certified quantum randomness with 2 photonic qubits: a critical input for secure cryptographic keys.
OVHcloud has integrated these quantum-generated numbers into the SSL certificate issuance process, covering millions of hosted websites. This provides a first-of-its-kind quantum-enhanced security layer at no additional cost to customers, demonstrating that photonic quantum computing can produce practical, large-scale operational benefits beyond research experiments.
Key Takeaways
- First operational photonic quantum computer in a European cloud: OVHcloud’s commissioning of MosaiQ in 2024 demonstrated that photonic quantum hardware can function reliably within a standard commercial datacenter, bridging the gap between lab prototypes and industrial deployment.
- Energy-efficient, practical deployment: With kilowatt-class power consumption and self-contained photonics, MosaiQ integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructure without requiring complex or specialized support systems.
- Tomorrow’s security of data will be guaranteed by Quantum: The use of this quantum computers for the secured generation of quantum-certified random numbers for cryptography shows that quantum technologies will be a central pillar for the securization of our data and for European sovereignty.
The MosaiQ deployment at OVHcloud’s datacenter represents more than a technological milestone, it is tangible proof that photonic quantum computing can operate reliably in real-world cloud environments. With energy-efficient, resource-minimal, and fully deployable systems, Quandela empowers cloud providers like OVHcloud to deliver advanced quantum capabilities without compromising operational stability.
As quantum computing continues to transition from laboratory experiments to commercial applications, this partnership demonstrates that thoughtful industrial design, practical scalability, and customer-focused deployment are the foundation for building robust, scalable quantum services that deliver measurable impact today.
References
- Andreas Fyrillas, Boris Bourdoncle, Alexandre Maïnos, Pierre-Emmanuel Emeriau, Kayleigh Start, Nico Margaria, Martina Morassi, Aristide Lemaître, Isabelle Sagnes, Petr Stepanov, Thi Huong Au, Sébastien Boissier, Niccolo Somaschi, Nicolas Maring, Nadia Belabas, and Shane Mansfield. “Certified randomness in tight space.” arXiv:2301.03536, 2023
- OVHcloud Inaugurates Quantum Computer, OVHcloud press release, March 18, 2024. OVHcloud Inaugurates Quantum Computer and Announces New Educational Program to Support the European Quantum Ecosytem
- OVHcloud launches quantum computer at data center in France, DataCenterDynamics, March 2024. OVH launches quantum computer at data center in France
- OVHcloud purchases its first Quandela quantum computer, OVHcloud press release, March 16, 2023. OVHcloud purchases its first Quandela quantum computer to spur innovation in the Quantum ecosystem
- OVHcloud confirms ambitions in quantum computing with QPU roadmap, OVHcloud press release, June 10, 2025. OVHcloud confirms its ambitions in quantum computing with the first QPU-As-A-Service available in September 2025
- OVHcloud, the first global player to improve website access security with a quantum computer, OVHcloud press release, September 23, 2025. OVHcloud, the first global player to improve website access security with a quantum computer
- OVHcloud brings quantum computing to web connection security: a world first, OVHcloud blog, October 13, 2025. OVHcloud brings quantum computing to web connection security: a world first – OVHcloud Blog
