Bell Canada and the Université de Sherbrooke have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on quantum technologies, post-quantum cybersecurity, and sustainable data centre infrastructure, aiming to bolster Canada's capacity for next-generation computing.
Collaboration Details
The agreement, announced July 8, 2026, leverages Bell's national network and infrastructure expertise alongside UdeS's leadership in quantum research and cybersecurity. The partnership will explore advanced computing environments integrating high-performance computing, quantum systems, and secure data infrastructure for real-world testing and scaling.
Bell AI Fabric, a full-stack AI platform anchored by Bell's fibre network, data centres, and cloud capabilities, will support the collaboration. Queen's University will also partner to link national HPC environments with frontier quantum capabilities for Canadian research and enterprise applications.
Key Focus Areas
Under the MOU, Bell and UdeS will collaborate on post-quantum cybersecurity to prepare networks for emerging cryptographic standards, hybrid computing models integrating HPC and quantum technologies, distributed data centre infrastructure optimized for local energy use and heat recovery, and talent development through student training and applied research.
According to Bell, the collaboration aims to bridge the gap between research and large-scale deployment, creating opportunities to test new computing architectures in operational environments. Bell will work with UdeS to assess how infrastructure, connectivity, and market access can transition emerging technologies from research to scalable applications across enterprise, government, and industry.
