The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click here. This episode is sponsored by ETI Software and VETRO FiberMap.
In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Joe Hickey, President of POMEGRAN, for a conversation about the complex realities—and rewarding outcomes—of expanding broadband infrastructure across rural and Indigenous communities in Canada.
Joe Hickey’s journey through the world of telecommunications spans more than 35 years—from his early days at Nortel to leading venture-funded startups, managing defense electronics in Canada, and now heading up POMEGRAN, one of Canada’s most determined players in rural broadband delivery. His career has taken him across continents and sectors, but the through-line has always been the same: a passion for using communications technology to make the world a better place.
That passion led him to launch ROCK Networks and eventually join POMEGRAN through a strategic acquisition. Now, he’s laser-focused on bridging Canada’s digital divide—one remote community at a time.
Joe walks listeners through the logistical and financial challenges of deploying fiber in Northern Ontario—an area marked by harsh winters, low household density, and complex infrastructure approvals. From negotiating with four separate utility pole owners to navigating a make-ready process that spans federal, provincial, and Indigenous jurisdictions, the barriers are formidable.
One of the most unique aspects of their work involves securing Band Council Resolutions (BCRs) from First Nation communities. These approvals are necessary for construction and grant eligibility and require deep, ongoing community engagement. As Joe explains, these aren’t just permits—they’re relationships. And in his view, connecting Canada’s most underserved communities is both the greatest challenge and the greatest reward.
Joe provides a comprehensive overview of Canada’s broadband funding programs, including the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF), the ICON program, and provincial initiatives like Ontario’s Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program. While delays and bureaucratic hurdles exist, Joe credits Canada’s multi-pronged, well-capitalized approach for moving the needle in a meaningful way.
He also highlights the role of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) in helping close equity gaps by providing loans for large-scale, low-ROI rural builds—a model that could inform broadband development efforts in other countries, especially the U.S.
One of the most practical takeaways from the episode is POMEGRAN’s “build-as-you-connect” model. Rather than waiting to complete an entire network build before initiating customer activations, POMEGRAN knocks on doors, secures landowner permissions, and installs drops as construction progresses. This leads to faster monetization, stronger take rates, and deeper ties with local communities.
To support this model, they’ve launched an SGO (Subscriber Growth Organization) that integrates marketing, outside plant, and active infrastructure teams. Their focus is not just customer acquisition—but stakeholder engagement and long-term community investment.
Beyond infrastructure, Joe underscores the transformational economic value of broadband. In a study conducted with Strategic Networks Group, a proposed $600M fiber deployment in Newfoundland was projected to generate $12B in GDP impact over 20 years, thanks to increased tax revenue, job creation, and population repatriation. Communities like Cochrane, Ontario are already using broadband as a tool to reverse outmigration and attract new residents, workers, and investment.
As Joe and his team scale operations, they’re exploring partnerships with open-access ISPs, engaging with new satellite and 5G hybrid models, and preparing for the next generation of digital infrastructure—powered by the likes of Nokia’s 25G PON systems.
His advice to fellow operators? Stay passionate, stay persistent, and never underestimate the power of community trust.
“If you’re passionate about what you do, it never really feels like work.” – Joe Hickey
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