Tennessee Tech to Build Quantum Communications Testbed
The $2.1 million federally-funded project aims to research real-world quantum entanglement by September 2028.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Quantum Computing
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Tennessee Tech University is set to build a regional quantum communications testbed spanning Crossville and Cookeville. This research-stage project aims to evaluate quantum entanglement in real-world network conditions by September 2028.
Why it matters
The initiative seeks to advance the practical distribution and measurement of quantum information outside of a controlled lab setting. It also provides a dedicated environment for students to gain hands-on experience with specialized networking equipment.
The project secured $2.1 million in funding from the Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology. Researchers will focus on entangling particles to maintain shared correlations across the geographic distance between the two cities.
The players
Tennessee Tech University
A public university in Cookeville focused on engineering research and workforce development.
Muhammad Ismail
The principal investigator leading the development of the quantum communications testbed.
Anthony Skjellum
The co-principal investigator supporting the quantum network research project.
The details
The testbed will facilitate studies on how quantum information persists and travels across physical infrastructure. Researchers intend to use quantum entanglement—a phenomenon where particles remain connected so that the state of one instantly influences the other—to enable secure information sharing. By deploying this between Cookeville and Crossville, the team will evaluate the challenges of maintaining these quantum links under real-world environmental conditions.
Timeline
The quantum communications testbed project is scheduled for completion in September 2028.
The Tech Race
This project aligns with the broader national effort to move quantum networking from isolated labs into regional field deployments. It follows the precedent of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's research grants aimed at validating quantum entanglement in real-world environments.
This testbed primarily serves as a research and training environment for university students and technical researchers, with no immediate commercial applications for the public. Local entities in Cookeville and Crossville should expect infrastructure-related research activity to scale as the 2028 completion date approaches.
The takeaway
The project establishes a long-term research pipeline for quantum communications in Tennessee. Observers should track progress reports from the principal investigators as they finalize the hardware and network architecture ahead of the 2028 deadline.
Further reading
Learn more about advancements in Quantum Computing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WATE 6 On Your Side.
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