Billing & Consumption Policy

Comprehensive billing terms for k&z quantum AI infrastructure, including consumption metering, reserved capacity pricing, invoicing schedules, and payment procedures.

Effective Date: January 1, 2026 — Version: 1.0

1. Introduction

This Billing & Consumption Policy (“Policy”) describes the billing models, metering methodology, invoicing procedures, payment terms, and related provisions applicable to the k&z quantum AI infrastructure platform and associated services (the “Services”). This Policy is incorporated into and forms part of the Terms of Service and any applicable Master Service Agreement.

2. Billing Models

2.1 Consumption-Based Billing (Pay-As-You-Go)

Consumption-based billing charges clients based on actual usage of quantum computing resources. Charges are calculated based on the metering dimensions described in Section 3 and applied at the rates published on the k&z pricing page or as specified in the applicable Order Form. There are no minimum commitments or upfront fees for consumption-based billing. Usage is billed monthly in arrears.

2.2 Reserved Capacity Billing

Reserved capacity billing allows clients to commit to a specified allocation of QPU resources for a defined period (typically one, two, or three years) in exchange for discounted rates compared to consumption-based pricing. Key terms include:

  • Commitment Term: The duration for which QPU resources are reserved, as specified in the Order Form.
  • Capacity Allocation: The type and quantity of QPU resources reserved, measured in QPU-hours per month.
  • Payment Schedule: Reserved capacity may be paid in equal monthly installments, in equal quarterly installments, or in equal annual installments, as selected by the client. See Section 2.5 for payment method restrictions based on commitment term.
  • Overage Charges: Usage exceeding the reserved capacity allocation is billed at the applicable on-demand consumption rate.
  • Unused Capacity: Unused reserved capacity does not roll over to subsequent months unless the Order Form explicitly provides for rollover.

2.3 Subscription Billing

Subscription billing provides access to a defined set of platform features, support tiers, and resource entitlements for a fixed monthly or annual fee. Subscription tiers include:

  • Developer: Access to shared QPU resources with limited monthly QPU-hours, standard API access, community support, and basic monitoring.
  • Professional: Increased QPU-hour allocation, priority scheduling, enhanced API rate limits, email support, and advanced monitoring and analytics.
  • Enterprise: Custom QPU-hour allocation, dedicated support engineer, SLA commitments, SSO/SAML integration, advanced RBAC, and compliance reporting.

Subscription fees are billed at the beginning of each billing period (monthly or annually, as selected). Annual subscriptions receive a discount compared to monthly billing.

2.4 Hybrid Billing

Clients may combine billing models within a single account. For example, a client may have a reserved capacity commitment for baseline QPU usage and pay consumption-based rates for additional on-demand usage beyond the reserved allocation.

2.5 Payment Method Restrictions by Service Horizon

To comply with card network rules and payment processor requirements, the following restrictions apply to payment methods based on the service delivery horizon:

  • Card payments (credit/debit): Card payments may only be used for services with a delivery horizon of twelve (12) months or less. This includes monthly subscriptions, quarterly billing, and annual commitments billed in monthly or quarterly installments. Card payments may not be used for upfront payment of multi-year commitments.
  • Wire transfer / bank transfer: Required for all reserved capacity commitments exceeding twelve (12) months in total term, and for any upfront lump-sum payments covering more than twelve (12) months of service. Also required for Frontier QPU Pod and Enterprise QPU Pod commitments regardless of term length.
  • ACH / SEPA Direct Debit: May be used for recurring installment payments on multi-year commitments, provided each installment covers no more than twelve (12) months of service.

Clients with existing multi-year commitments paid by card will be transitioned to wire transfer or direct debit billing at their next renewal.

3. Metering Methodology

3.1 QPU Runtime

QPU runtime is the primary metering dimension for quantum computing usage. It is measured as the total duration during which a client’s quantum circuit or workload is actively executing on a QPU, measured in seconds with millisecond precision. QPU runtime includes:

  • Circuit compilation and transpilation time on the QPU control system;
  • Quantum gate execution time;
  • Measurement and readout time; and
  • Inter-shot reset and preparation time for multi-shot executions.

QPU runtime does not include: queue wait time, classical pre-processing or post-processing time, or data transfer time to and from the QPU control system.

3.2 Shots

A “shot” refers to a single execution of a quantum circuit on a QPU, producing one set of measurement results. Clients may specify the number of shots per job. Shots are metered as a secondary billing dimension and are charged per shot at the rate specified for the applicable QPU type.

3.3 Capacity Windows

For reserved capacity and dedicated QPU deployments, metering is based on capacity windows — defined time periods during which QPU resources are exclusively allocated to the client. Capacity windows are measured in QPU-hours (one QPU allocated for one hour) and billed regardless of actual utilization during the window.

3.4 Classical Computing Resources

For hybrid quantum-classical workloads, classical computing resources (CPU cores, GPU accelerators, memory, storage) are metered separately based on resource-hours consumed. Classical resource rates are published on the k&z pricing page.

3.5 Data Transfer

Inbound data transfer to the k&z platform is free. Outbound data transfer exceeding the monthly free tier (10 GB for Standard, 100 GB for Enterprise) is charged per GB at published rates.

3.6 Metering Accuracy

k&z metering systems record usage with millisecond precision and are audited quarterly for accuracy. Clients can view real-time and historical usage data through the platform dashboard, API, and downloadable usage reports.

4. Invoicing Schedule

4.1 Consumption-Based Invoicing

Consumption-based charges are invoiced monthly in arrears, with invoices generated on the first business day of each month for usage during the preceding calendar month. Invoices include itemized usage details by service component, QPU type, and metering dimension.

4.2 Reserved Capacity Invoicing

Reserved capacity fees are invoiced according to the payment schedule specified in the Order Form:

  • Upfront Payment: A single invoice issued upon execution of the Order Form.
  • Monthly Installments: Invoices issued on the first business day of each month during the commitment term.
  • Quarterly Installments: Invoices issued on the first business day of each calendar quarter.

4.3 Subscription Invoicing

Subscription fees are invoiced at the beginning of each billing period (monthly or annually). Annual subscription invoices are issued upon subscription activation or renewal.

4.4 Invoice Delivery

Invoices are delivered electronically to the billing contact email address on file. Clients may also access invoices through the platform dashboard. PDF invoices compliant with local e-invoicing requirements are available upon request.

5. Payment Methods

5.1 Accepted Payment Methods

k&z accepts the following payment methods:

  • Credit and Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Card payments are subject to our Card Authorization Policy.
  • Wire Transfer (Bank Transfer): Available for all billing models. Wire transfer details are provided on each invoice.
  • ACH / SEPA Direct Debit: Available for clients in the United States (ACH) and European Economic Area (SEPA), subject to account verification.
  • Purchase Orders: Available for Enterprise tier clients with approved credit terms. Purchase order numbers should be provided at the time of order and will be referenced on all invoices.

5.2 Payment Currency

Invoices are issued in the currency specified in the client’s account settings or Order Form. Supported currencies are: Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), United States Dollars (USD), and Euros (EUR). Currency conversion, if applicable, is calculated at the prevailing exchange rate on the invoice date.

6. Payment Terms

6.1 Due Date

Unless otherwise specified in the Order Form, all invoices are due and payable within thirty (30) days of the invoice date (Net 30). Enterprise clients may negotiate extended payment terms (Net 45 or Net 60) as part of their Master Service Agreement.

6.2 Late Payment

Amounts not paid by the due date shall accrue interest at the rate of one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month, or the maximum rate permitted by applicable law, whichever is less. k&z reserves the right to:

  • Send payment reminder notices at 7, 14, and 30 days past due;
  • Suspend access to the Services upon thirty (30) days’ written notice for amounts overdue by more than thirty (30) days;
  • Engage a collections agency for amounts overdue by more than ninety (90) days; and
  • Recover reasonable costs of collection, including attorneys’ fees.

6.3 Spending Alerts and Limits

Clients may configure spending alerts and hard spending limits through the platform dashboard. Spending alerts notify the client when consumption charges reach specified thresholds. Hard spending limits automatically pause non-essential services when the limit is reached. k&z is not liable for charges incurred before a spending limit takes effect.

7. Taxes

7.1 Tax Responsibility

All fees quoted by k&z are exclusive of applicable taxes. The client is responsible for all taxes, levies, and duties imposed by governmental authorities in connection with the Services, including but not limited to value-added tax (VAT), goods and services tax (GST), sales tax, use tax, and withholding tax, except for taxes based on k&z’s net income.

7.2 Tax Exemptions

If you are exempt from applicable taxes, please provide a valid tax exemption certificate to support@kandz.co. k&z will apply the exemption to subsequent invoices upon verification.

7.3 VAT

For clients located in the European Union or Hong Kong, VAT will be applied at the applicable rate unless the client provides a valid VAT identification number for reverse-charge purposes.

8. Billing Disputes

8.1 Filing a Dispute

Clients who believe an invoice contains an error must submit a written dispute to support@kandz.co within sixty (60) days of the invoice date. The dispute must identify the specific charges in question and provide a description of the claimed error with supporting documentation.

8.2 Undisputed Amounts

Clients must pay undisputed portions of an invoice by the due date, even if other portions are under dispute. Failure to pay undisputed amounts may result in late payment consequences as described in Section 6.2.

8.3 Resolution

k&z will investigate the dispute and provide a written determination within fifteen (15) business days. If the dispute is resolved in the client’s favor, a credit or refund will be issued in accordance with our Refund & Cancellation Policy.

9. Usage Reporting

Clients have access to detailed usage reports through the following channels:

  • Platform Dashboard: Real-time usage monitoring with granular breakdown by QPU type, job, project, and user.
  • Usage API: Programmatic access to usage data for integration with internal billing and cost management systems.
  • Monthly Usage Reports: Detailed PDF or CSV reports attached to each invoice.
  • Cost Allocation Tags: Clients may tag QPU jobs and resources with custom labels for cost allocation and chargeback purposes.

10. Contact

For billing inquiries:

  • Billing: support@kandz.co
  • Support: Support Center
  • Finance: support@kandz.co