ROCK Networks and PomeGran Provide Key Updates on the Northern Ontario Gigabit Fibre Project

On ROCK Networks and PomeGran hosted a stakeholder webinar to share progress on the Northern Ontario Gigabit Fibre Project, one of Canada’s largest rural broadband initiatives. This transformative project will deliver gigabit-speed internet to over 18,000 underserved homes, including 2,580 Indigenous households across 43 communities in Northern Ontario.

This transformative project is supported by funding from the Universal Broadband Fund, Ontario’s Internet Connectivity Program, Canada Infrastructure Bank, and private investment. It is one of the largest fibre deployment projects in Canada, spanning 50,000 square kilometres across 43 communities, including 13 Indigenous communities.

Key Updates from the Webinar

• Construction Progress – 90% of survey and design work is complete, with construction already underway across multiple communities.
• First Customer Connections – The first households in Johnson Township are expected to be connected in April 2025.
• Underwater Fibre Crossings – Innovative submarine fibre optic installations are being used to connect St. Joseph Island and Manitoulin Island.
• Future-Proof Network – The project will leverage Nokia’s 25G PON technology, the first deployment of its kind in a rural Canadian community, ensuring multi-gigabit speeds for residents, businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Government and Industry Support

• Dr. Kalai S. Kalaichelvan, Chairman & CEO of PomeGran, emphasized: “Our commitment is not just to deploy infrastructure but to ensure lasting community engagement. This is a collective effort between our team, government partners, and local communities to build a better-connected future.”
• Joe Hickey, President of PomeGran and Founder & President of ROCK Networks, added: “Reliable, high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for education, healthcare, and economic growth. This project will bridge the digital divide, bringing much-needed connectivity to thousands of families and businesses in Northern Ontario.”
• Jenny Fellman, Senior Director at Nokia Canada, stated: “This project marks the first rural deployment of Nokia’s 25G PON technology in Canada. With this advanced infrastructure, Northern Ontario will benefit from high-speed broadband that will support communities for decades to come.”
• MP Carol Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing) noted: “The demand for fast, reliable internet has never been higher. People are eager to transition to true gigabit fibre, and this project will make a real difference for businesses, students, and families across the region.”
• MP Terry Sheehan (Sault Ste. Marie) emphasized: “This is about equity. Whether you live in Toronto or Blind River, you should have the same opportunities for business, education, and healthcare. This project will drive economic growth and connectivity across Northern Ontario.”

PomeGran remains committed to bridging the digital divide and bringing high-speed connectivity to rural and Indigenous communities across Northern Ontario. With construction advancing and the first customer connections just months away, we are excited to see the impact this project will have.

NT4