EPB Opens America's First Combined Quantum Compute and Network Hub

What changed

EPB, the municipal utility serving Chattanooga, Tennessee, launched an IonQ Forte Enterprise quantum computer at EPB Quantum Center on 18 September 2026. EPB and IonQ describe the site as the first U.S. facility to combine commercial quantum computing and quantum networking under one roof. Commercial access opens in early October 2026.

IonQ chairman and CEO Niccolo de Masi said the Forte Enterprise system complements EPB's quantum networking capabilities and creates a environment where organizations can explore applications today. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga researchers will receive first access. EPB CEO Janet Rehberg said the utility also plans to use quantum computing to optimize its electrical grid.

Why it matters

Quantum utility for most enterprises still depends on where they can run hybrid classical quantum workflows without building a lab. EPB's model places a trapped ion machine beside an existing quantum network EPB launched in 2023, shortening the path from pilot to operational tests for logistics, chemistry, and grid optimization teams in the Southeast.

For capital allocators, the launch is a datapoint that municipal and regional hubs are competing with national lab queues. IonQ gains a customer facing showcase while EPB markets Chattanooga as a commercialization cluster with UTC and Vanderbilt as research partners.

Who is affected

Quantum algorithm teams needing Forte Enterprise time plus network experiments without multi vendor contracts. Utility and energy R&D groups watching grid optimization pilots on live infrastructure. Regional economic development and policy staff comparing EPB's bundled offering to cloud only access on Amazon Braket, Azure, or Google Cloud. IonQ investors tracking enterprise deployments beyond cloud marketplace listings.

What to do next

If your organization runs optimization workloads in the U.S. Southeast, request early October access windows at EPB Quantum Center and define one grid or routing benchmark you can reproduce on classical baselines. Compare total cost against cloud IonQ hours plus separate networking trials.

What to watch

Commercial opening in early October 2026 and first published UTC research outputs. EPB statements on grid optimization experiments using Forte Enterprise. Whether other municipal utilities replicate the compute plus network hub format.

Sources

• Primary — EPB via PR Newswire, EPB Launches IonQ Forte Enterprise Quantum Computer in Chattanooga (18 September 2026). Launch date, Forte Enterprise deployment, networking integration, and commercial timeline.
• Secondary — Local 3 News, EPB's new IonQ Forte Enterprise Quantum Computer opens doors for cutting edge work (18 September 2026). Local event details and CEO quotes on business access.