IonQ is expanding its ambitions in quantum-secure communications with a definitive agreement to acquire Skyloom Global, a U.S. company specializing in high-performance optical communications for both terrestrial and orbital networks. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition brings Skyloom’s rapidly scaling optical communications terminal (OCT) technology into IonQ’s growing ecosystem, strengthening the company’s effort to build a fully integrated global quantum infrastructure platform.
Skyloom, founded in 2017, has become a key supplier of laser-based communications terminals for U.S. government and commercial missions. The company has delivered nearly 90 SDA-qualified OCTs to the Space Development Agency as of 2025, giving it one of the most proven production pipelines for high-bandwidth satellite communications hardware. After the acquisition closes, Skyloom CEO Marc Eisenberg will join IonQ’s leadership structure under Frank Backes, President of Quantum Infrastructure.
IonQ says the strategic value of the deal goes far beyond incremental network performance. According to Chairman and CEO Niccolo de Masi, integrating space-based optical links directly into IonQ’s quantum platform accelerates the buildout of secure global quantum networking, enabling the distributed entanglement architectures expected to define next-generation communication systems. Bringing Skyloom into the fold expands IonQ’s addressable market while significantly increasing downlink speeds across its existing product lines.
IonQ anticipates immediate performance gains once Skyloom’s terminals are incorporated, including a potential fivefold increase in data throughput and dramatically lower latency. In mission scenarios involving large scientific datasets or time-sensitive intelligence information, transmission windows that once took several hours could drop below one hour. These improvements support IonQ’s broader plan to build a multi-layered quantum-secure network leveraging orbital assets, terrestrial stations, and quantum computing nodes.
Skyloom CEO Eisenberg described the acquisition as a milestone that amplifies his company’s founding goal to advance secure communications infrastructure. By pairing Skyloom’s OCT hardware with IonQ’s quantum systems, both companies see an opportunity to shape the early architecture of global quantum-secure networking.
This acquisition extends IonQ’s recent pattern of consolidating key technologies across the quantum stack. It follows the company’s purchases of Qubitekk, Capella Space, Lightsynq, and a controlling stake in ID Quantique – moves that collectively give IonQ ownership of capabilities spanning quantum computing, sensing, cryptographic security, and space-based communications. With the addition of Skyloom, IonQ becomes one of the only companies with a vertically integrated approach to distributed quantum entanglement networks
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval, but once finalized, it will further position IonQ as a leader building the infrastructure layer for future quantum networking and global secure communications.
Executive Insights FAQ: Neutral Atom Computing and Skyloom
Table of Contents
- 1 Executive Insights FAQ: Neutral Atom Computing and Skyloom
- 1.1 Why are optical communications terminals important for quantum networking?
- 1.2 How does Skyloom’s technology enhance IonQ’s quantum platform?
- 1.3 What role does a full-stack architecture play in quantum-secure communications?
- 1.4 How do space-based optical links support next-generation quantum applications?
- 1.5 Why is consolidation increasing in the quantum communications sector?
Why are optical communications terminals important for quantum networking?
High-bandwidth laser links enable low-latency data transport between satellites and ground stations, forming the physical backbone required for distributed quantum entanglement and quantum-secure communications.
How does Skyloom’s technology enhance IonQ’s quantum platform?
Skyloom’s OCTs can increase data throughput by up to 500% and reduce transfer times dramatically, enabling faster distribution of quantum keys, entanglement pairs, and mission-critical datasets.
What role does a full-stack architecture play in quantum-secure communications?
Owning compute, sensing, cryptography, and communications layers allows IonQ to integrate and optimize quantum-secure workflows without relying on external vendors or incompatible systems.
How do space-based optical links support next-generation quantum applications?
Orbital OCTs enable long-distance, line-of-sight quantum networking – necessary for global entanglement distribution, secure intercontinental communications, and resilient quantum-enabled infrastructure.
Why is consolidation increasing in the quantum communications sector?
Building global quantum networks requires seamless coordination across hardware domains. Companies are acquiring specialized players to assemble complete, interoperable platforms capable of supporting secure quantum connectivity at scale.
