The Italian Competition Authority said Tuesday it has launched a probe into the quantum computing sector, citing potential competition concerns.

The investigation aims to "provide a timely overview of potential risks and issues, given the significant investments and expectations surrounding the sector both at national level and across the European Union," the regulator said.

Noting the fast pace of patent filings in the sector, the regulator said the concerns involved barriers to entry, lock-in risks, and the potential for "technological preemption" across the entire sector.

Alphabet's (GOOG, GOOGL) Google, Amazon (AMZN), and Meta (META) are among the major tech firms that are investing in quantum computing, according to a Reuters report.

The regulator said it expects to conclude the probe by Dec. 31, the report said.