MetTel Labs Announces Initiative to Build Ecosystem for Post-Quantum Security as Enterprises Prepare for the Quantum Era

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MetTel today announced a new initiative to work with an extensive ecosystem of technology and security partners to help enterprises prepare for the security implications of quantum computing and accelerate their transition toward post-quantum security.

The initiative will bring together expertise across networking, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, cryptography, managed services and emerging quantum technologies to help organizations understand where they are vulnerable today, develop practical migration strategies and prepare their infrastructure for a quantum-enabled future.

The need for preparation is becoming increasingly urgent. While the timeline for a commercially useful quantum computer remains uncertain, the potential near-term impact on enterprise security is significant. Quantum computing could soon undermine widely used public-key cryptographic systems, including technologies that protect sensitive communications, transactions and data today.

By Executive Order 14412, the deadline for federal agencies to implement post-quantum encryption on high-impact and high-value systems has been accelerated to December 31, 2030. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has already finalized three post-quantum cryptography standards and is urging organizations to begin migration now. Under NIST's transition planning, quantum-vulnerable algorithms are expected to be deprecated and ultimately removed from its standards by 2035.

"Quantum computing is following a trajectory we've seen before with transformative technologies like AI and cloud computing: the technology may seem years away from widespread adoption, but the infrastructure, security and organizational decisions required to prepare for it have to happen well in advance," said Ed Fox, Chief Technology Officer, MetTel and head of MetTel Labs. "We believe no single company will solve the post-quantum security challenge alone. MetTel intends to work across a broad ecosystem of partners to help enterprises understand their exposure, modernize their infrastructure and build the flexibility they will need as quantum technology evolves."

The Quantum Adoption Timeline

Generation 1, 2023–2030, is the experimental phase. Quantum systems remain largely experimental, but organizations are beginning to explore applications and understand their implications. According to Fox, this is the period when enterprises should establish the knowledge, partnerships, infrastructure and security strategies that will position them for delivering commercially viable solutions in time for the government's 2030 deadline.

Generation 2, 2030–2038, is expected to be the practical phase. Quantum computing is anticipated to begin delivering commercially viable solutions, particularly in areas such as pharmaceuticals, logistics and energy. More accessible quantum tools, APIs and interfaces could accelerate enterprise adoption.

Generation 3, 2035–2045, represents the maturity phase. Quantum computing is expected to become more deeply integrated into business processes, with mature ecosystems and widespread enterprise adoption. Organizations that establish capabilities, partnerships and infrastructure earlier could have a significant competitive advantage.

The Quantum Adoption Timeline

From 2026 through 2030 we anticipate experimentation with partnerships, infrastructure and security strategies to prepare for the government's 2030 deadline which will also serve as a milestone market for the commercial viability of post-quantum threat protection. By 2040 we expect to begin seeing quantum computing progress from the current experimental phase through a practical use phase and finally to market maturity.  By that point, it is estimated to be deeply integrated into business processes, with mature ecosystems and widespread enterprise adoption. Organizations that establish capabilities, partnerships and infrastructure earlier could have a significant competitive advantage.  The roadmap to prepare for that eventuality begins now.

The "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" Challenge

While commercially viable solutions may seem years away, experimental systems are already in use, and sensitive information captured today could potentially be stored and decrypted in the future as quantum capabilities mature. That makes the longevity and sensitivity of enterprise data an important consideration in determining which systems should be prioritized for post-quantum migration.

For organizations managing sensitive customer information, intellectual property, financial records, government data or other long-lived information, the question is therefore not simply "When will quantum computers arrive?" It is "How long must today's data remain secure?"

NIST has established a migration program specifically to help organizations understand their use of quantum-vulnerable public-key cryptography, develop inventories and establish road maps for transitioning to quantum-resistant algorithms.

MetTel's Quantum Readiness Strategy

MetTel is uniquely positioned to help customers navigate this transition because post-quantum readiness is not only a cryptography challenge; it is an enterprise infrastructure challenge. With deep experience managing complex networks, cloud connectivity, cybersecurity, mobility, voice and government-grade communications environments, MetTel can help organizations identify where quantum-vulnerable technologies exist, prioritize remediation based on business and regulatory risk, and implement practical migration plans across distributed, multi-vendor environments. MetTel's managed services model, partner ecosystem and operational visibility across customer infrastructure give it a distinctive ability to translate emerging post-quantum standards into executable road maps that align security modernization with broader digital transformation goals.

From Quantum Awareness to Quantum Readiness

MetTel's initiative reflects a broader shift in how enterprises should approach quantum computing. The technology represents both an emerging source of competitive advantage and a potential disruption to the security infrastructure on which digital business depends.

NIST released its first three finalized post-quantum cryptography standards in 2024—ML-KEM, ML-DSA and SLH-DSA—and recommends that organizations begin integrating them rather than waiting for quantum computers to become commercially viable.

The convergence of these developments creates a window for enterprises to act before quantum computing becomes an operational necessity. MetTel intends to use that window to help customers move from awareness to action through ecosystem partnerships, infrastructure expertise, cybersecurity capabilities and ongoing technology assessment.

"The organizations that will be best positioned for the quantum era will be those that build the flexibility, expertise and partnerships to respond when it arrives. Our objective is to help enterprises start that work now." said Fox.

About MetTel
MetTel is a leading digital transformation and communications solutions provider for enterprises and government agencies. Recognized as a 6-time Leader and Visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed Network Services, the company delivers managed network services, mobility, cybersecurity, voice, IoT and cloud communications solutions that simplify IT operations while improving performance, security and resiliency. MetTel is the first company to deliver SD-WAN over the Starlink satellite network and the first Authorized Starlink Reseller for both government and commercial markets.  For 30 years, MetTel has helped organizations transform the way they connect people, locations and technologies through innovative, customer-centric solutions.  For more information, visit MetTel at https://www.mettel.net.

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SOURCE MetTel