When the Ontario government recently announced the termination of its contract with Starlink for rural broadband, it reopened an important conversation about who should be trusted to deliver high-speed connectivity to underserved communities across the province.

At PomeGran, we believe the answer is clear: Canadian communities deserve reliable Canadian solutions.

As one of the three finalists in the province’s original procurement process through our subsidiary ROCK Networks, we are ready to step in with a Canadian-led alternative. With proven technology partners and a deep understanding of the unique needs of rural and remote communities, we are equipped to provide a scalable, reliable, and locally grounded broadband solution.

Building Infrastructure That Builds Canada

Our hybrid approach, combining satellite and terrestrial connectivity, is designed for the real-world challenges of rural Ontario. Whether it’s dense forests, long winters, or scattered populations, our team has experience delivering solutions that work in tough conditions.

More importantly, our model creates local jobs, keeps taxpayer investments within Canada, and supports long-term infrastructure development that benefits our communities, not foreign shareholders.

“This is more than a connectivity issue. It’s about investing in our own backyard and ensuring Canadian communities have a voice in their digital future.” – Joe Hickey, President, PomeGran

What Happened with Starlink?

While Starlink is a globally recognized brand, the Ontario government’s decision to cancel its agreement has highlighted concerns around deliverability, scalability, and alignment with Canadian priorities. This shift provides an opportunity to re-evaluate how broadband is rolled out, and who is best positioned to lead it.

We believe this is the moment to prioritize:

• Canadian-led solutions with boots on the ground
• Technology that adapts to our geography and infrastructure gaps
• Long-term community and economic development alongside connectivity

A Proven Partnership Model

We’re not just ready, we are already delivering.

Across Canada, our team is putting words into action. In Manitoba, we recently announced a strategic partnership with Broadband Communications North to deploy Eutelsat OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology. This initiative will provide high-speed, low-latency internet to remote Indigenous and northern communities where traditional infrastructure is not viable.

You can read more about this important milestone here.

By collaborating with Indigenous-led organizations and leveraging Canadian technology, this partnership is a clear demonstration of what a local-first, community-driven approach can achieve.

Ready to Deliver in Ontario

Our team has deep roots in Canada’s rural and northern regions. We understand the importance of consultation, community engagement, and long-term support. The systems we deploy are not one-size-fits-all. They are tailored, responsive, and designed for the realities of life outside of urban centres.

In fact, we’re already making that future a reality. In Northern Ontario, we’ve begun rolling out fibre-to-the-home broadband in several communities through a major infrastructure initiative supported by provincial and federal funding. This project is bringing gigabit-speed internet to thousands of households and businesses across remote and underserved regions, and it marks the first 25G-PON network deployment in rural Canada. Read more about the project here.

As the province moves forward, we are calling on decision-makers to take this opportunity to build a stronger, more self-reliant broadband future for Ontario.

Our commitment is simple: no rural community should be left behind.

Want to Learn More?

ROCK Networks President Joe Hickey is available to speak with media, government leaders, and community organizations about what comes next for broadband in Ontario, and how our team can help bring real change to the communities that need it most.

Email [email protected] to schedule an interview or learn more about our approach to rural broadband.