SK Telecom is shifting its quantum technology strategy by transferring ownership of quantum cryptography specialist ID Quantique to U.S.-based quantum computing firm IonQ in a share swap valued at approximately $250 million (290 billion won).
The deal, expected to close around May, will give SK Telecom an estimated 3% stake in IonQ, which has a market capitalization of around 10 trillion won. The transaction represents a significant return on SK Telecom’s initial 70 billion won investment in IDQ, which it acquired in 2018.
For IonQ, the acquisition provides a strategic foothold in South Korea’s emerging quantum technology sector. The company, known for developing ion trap-based quantum computers as alternatives to the superconducting methods employed by Google and IBM, will integrate IDQ’s quantum cryptography expertise with its computing technology.
SK Telecom plans to leverage IonQ’s quantum computing capabilities to enhance its AI business, which includes AI agents “A.” and “Aster,” along with AI data centers and GPU cloud services.
The partnership aligns with South Korea’s national technology priorities, as the country has identified quantum technology as one of three game-changing technologies alongside artificial intelligence.
Industry observers are closely watching how control over IDQ will transition following the transaction. IDQ was previously incorporated as a subsidiary of SK Square, SK Telecom’s investment arm that was spun off in 2021.
IDQ indicates that combining technologies from both companies could establish a robust quantum technology cluster, potentially strengthening South Korea’s industrial ecosystem in this emerging field while expanding IonQ’s influence across Asian markets.
