Commercial revenue from quantum technology could dramatically increase from $2.7 billion (£2bn~) in 2024 to $9.4bn (£7.1bn~) in 2030, according to a new prediction from Juniper Research, the market research and consulting firm.

However, despite this increase, the firm forecasts that the return on investment in quantum technology will reach only 6% at the start of the new decade, with total investment surpassing $29bn (£22bn~) in 2030 alone.

The research company’s study underlining the predictions found that the number of quantum computers deployed by 2030 will themselves remain low, only reaching approximately 300, reflecting the very early stage of the market as well as the high set-up costs involved.

Given the low number of quantum computers deployed, remote connectivity will be essential for enterprise users who wish to gain access to quantum computers, the firm has advised, with quantum service providers needing to harness quantum-hybrid computing solutions.

These solutions combine the power of both quantum and classical computers, resulting in less environmental noise and cost compared to pure quantum computers. They’ll also provide an immediate commercial quantum solution to enterprises at a lower entry rate before the commercialisation of pure quantum computers.

The study also identified quantum encryption technologies, including quantum key distribution, as providing the fastest return on investment for enterprises. This is due to the development of quantum computing necessitating stricter security requirements, particularly in industries such as banking and finance.

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The findings from Juniper‘s study has been published just days after BT announced that, in partnership with Toshiba and Equinix, it’ll see the UK’s first quantum-secure connectivity between two prime data centres.

Businesses using the data centres, situated in London’s Canary Wharf and the English town of Slough, will be able to connect to BT Group’s and Toshiba’s quantum-secured metro network and trial the transmission of data, protected using quantum key distribution.

Quantum computing has the potential to undermine the cryptography that’s currently used for making networks secure. However, QKD-based security involves a key exchange practice that can safeguard against quantum computing’s potential in this area.