Quantum Corridor is a technology and network communications company that is building and operating one of the fastest and most secure fiber-optic networks in the Western Hemisphere, specifically designed to enable and accelerate the adoption of quantum computing, sensing, and communications discoveries. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Quantum Corridor Chief Product Officer Patrick Scully to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Patrick Scully’s Background
What is Patrick Scully’s background? Scully said:
“Most of my career so far has evolved around the architecture, development and deployment of innovative solutions for a broad variety of applications for optical networks. Armed with a degree in Electrical Engineering from McGill University in Montreal, QC, I started at Bell-Northern Research (which became Nortel) in the R&D group doing system-level product verification. That role essentially involved exercising the system to ensure it performed as documented under normal and stress conditions. That role quickly grew into one working with other companies to ensure products from different vendors worked well together, as is often required in large operators’ networks. During this time, I also earned an MBA in International Business and Marketing from the University of Ottawa.
“This industry view working with competitors and partners opened new horizons beyond just our own product set. I quickly realized I enjoyed working directly with customers and other partners, to find out about emerging trends and challenges in the industry and help develop solutions to address those challenges. An opportunity arose to join the product management team, and within days of switching roles, I was presenting our product roadmap to a customer in New York City.
“This journey in product management had me working directly with a variety of customers globally, from major telecom operators to financial institutions, utilities companies, media production studios, and various government agencies. This led to the development and introduction of several products that were industry ‘firsts’ – innovative solutions addressing industry challenges in novel ways.
“These industry-leading solutions included applications in the media and entertainment industry like high-definition video transport over Ethernet and hitless protection switching. (Think fiber cut during the Superbowl going un-noticed!) We also launched the first optical layer encryption platform, which had significant security applications for financial institutions, government agencies and infrastructures critical to national security like power generation and distribution networks.
“The work in the area of network security and related innovations led me to learn more about the potential impact quantum technology could have on communication networks, both from the anticipated benefits quantum sciences promise to deliver from a security perspective, and from new threats and challenges quantum technologies would introduce as well.
“I had now identified a new area where innovative products and solutions would be needed, and worked in collaboration with customers like JPMorgan Chase to develop use cases and proof-of-concept activities with other industry partners to introduce new network solutions for our customers, sometimes challenging the status quo internally as this was an emerging market opportunity.
“This work eventually brought me to meet the partners of Quantum Corridor, who asked me to come on board and help them build the first Quantum Internet network.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Scully noted:
“The work I did in my previous role in partnership with JPMorgan Chase and Toshiba resulted in a published paper describing how to secure data transmission over a fiber optic network using a technology called Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). This paper caught the attention of the two principals at Quantum Corridor, Thomas P. Dakich and Ryan Lafler, who boldly decided that the creation of a quantum-safe network was the perfect differentiated solution that would match their plans for quantum data centers in the Midwest. That paper essentially formed the initial blueprint for their network and, having had the opportunity to meet with them on several occasions in various meetings, I recognized the traits of a truly innovative and ambitious technological project, and did not hesitate one second when they asked me to join them in building this groundbreaking network.”
Primary Responsibilities
What are your primary responsibilities? Scully shared:
“As Chief Product Officer at Quantum Corridor, my role is to define our product and service offering, which encompasses everything from technology and partner selection, network architecture definition and engineering support for pre- and post-sales activities. This role combines both the technology innovation component as well as the customer and partner engagement aspects that I’ve identified early on as key to fuel my passion and drive in my professional endeavors. Being an advocate for the quantum science industry and, more particularly, the significant efforts in this space in the Midwest, makes it a very interesting and challenging role. Of course, being part of a startup often means the responsibilities are directed towards other areas but these are interesting opportunities to learn and grow in areas I would not be exposed to in larger companies.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Scully reflected:
“I’ve only been with Quantum Corridor for just over 9 months so far, but by far what has attracted me in the first place and been consistently demonstrated since is the drive and focus of everyone involved and the flair of the two owners for identifying and surrounding themselves with the right people in the various roles, where the roles and contributions of every contributor is recognized and valued.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Scully explained:
“Quantum Corridor is an infrastructure provider with two core spheres of activity: data center and connectivity services. Firstly, we own and operate one (and soon two) data centers that are architected and engineered to support quantum computing, generative AI and advanced computing platforms, where we lease space and power to a variety of customers.”
“Our second focus area is our quantum-safe communication network that provides secure connectivity for customers. These customers come from a variety of sources, from universities, colleges, enterprises, and government facilities.”
“A key differentiator for our network is that it is architected and engineered to deliver quantum-safe communication today. What this means in practical terms is that all transmissions on our network are encrypted with technology that makes it completely secure, even when quantum computers become powerful enough to break classical encryption technology used across the industry today. This level of security is particularly attractive to the defense sector, with contractors, researchers, and other partners looking to exchange information in the safest way possible to protect our national security.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since its launch? Scully noted:
“With the company itself being just over 2 years old, most of the technology currently being deployed is still the latest generation available. With our partners evolving their technology, the most significant advancement of late has been an increase in the speed being supported. We do anticipate some evolution in quantum science technology over the next 3 to 5 years that will introduce new capabilities to our network. However the good news here is that we are planning for and anticipating those developments and investing today in a future-proof architecture that will allow us to capitalize on those changes.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Scully cited:
“Our origin comes from the development of our initial data center, Digital Crossroad, located in Hammond, Indiana. This site is significant in that it repurposed what used to be an old coal power generating plant and transformed it into a modern purpose-built data center facility that offers its tenant multi-modal cooling technology, leveraging its location on the shore of Lake Michigan to use its cold water as a cooling source as well as the cold air from Northwest Indiana in the winter months.
“The second key milestone was the deployment of a direct connection between Digital Crossroad and the Internet and Data Center hub in downtown Chicago, creating a 12-mile ultra-low latency and high-capacity link between the facilities.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Scully affirmed:
“In a few words, our focus and commitment to building the nation’s first quantum internet. As we build and expand our network, our mission is not only to deliver quantum-safe communication today but laying out the groundwork and physical infrastructure for what will be the next generation of networks enabling quantum communications. Existing and traditional optical fiber networks are not engineered to support quantum networking; our network is.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Scully concluded:
“We do have a number of projects underway, including an expansion of our existing Digital Crossroad facility, the building of a new facility in Indiana, both architected to support quantum computers and hybrid quantum/AI/advanced computing. Additionally, our optical network is expanding to Southwest and Northeast Indiana as well as additional locations in Illinois. Beyond these initial plans, there is great interest from our investors and partners to expand the network to several neighboring states, truly building a quantum ecosystem in the Midwest (and beyond).”
