Last week, we marked a pivotal moment in the drive to enhance digital connectivity in Northern Ontario. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Northern Ontario Gigabit Fibre Project officially kicked off an exciting new chapter for the region, promising gigabit-speed internet to over 18,000 underserved households— including more than 2,500 Indigenous homes.
ROCK Networks was proud to be part of this momentous event, which brought together local officials, community members, and key project partners to celebrate the start of a transformative project that will connect some of the most remote areas of Ontario.
Why This Project Matters
For years, many rural and Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario have struggled to access reliable, high-speed internet. The digital landscape of the world kept advancing, while these regions were essentially being left behind. With education, healthcare, and business increasingly moving online, closing this digital gap is critical. The Northern Ontario Gigabit Fibre Project is designed to do just that—help bridge the digital divide and bring essential services to communities that need them most.
Dr. Kalai Kalaichelvan, Chairman and CEO of PomeGran, summed it up perfectly:
“Reliable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for education, healthcare, and economic growth in the digital age. We are committed to ensuring that these communities receive the same access to opportunities as urban areas.”
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
This project wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of government leaders, local and Indigenous communities, and private-sector partners. At the ceremony, key figures like Terry Sheehan, MP for Sault Ste. Marie, and Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, joined us to celebrate the start of this exciting initiative.
Terry Sheehan, MP for Sault Ste. Marie, expressed his support:
“I am glad that our federal government supported this project through the Universal Broadband Fund. More families in Algoma will soon benefit from connectivity for business, for healthcare, for learning, and for community. In a digitally connected world, over 18,000 more homes between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie will have the high-speed access they need to succeed.”
Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, also spoke about the impact this will have on Indigenous communities:
“Today’s groundbreaking marks a new chapter for Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario. High-speed broadband is essential to open doors for businesses, education, and everyday connections. Thanks to all the partners making this game-changing project a reality!”
Michael Mantha, MPP for Algoma—Manitoulin, was also in attendance, and echoed the importance of the project for families and businesses alike:
“The groundbreaking for the Northern Ontario Gigabit Fibre Project signifies a major step for the future of families and businesses in the Huron Shore and Manitoulin Region. Without a doubt, this initiative is a major step forward in leveling the playing field for Northerners in terms of technology, business, and education.”
The Partners Behind the Project
Big projects like this don’t happen alone. We were thrilled to recognize the incredible partners that are bringing this vision to life. Nokia Canada, with President Jeffrey Maddox in attendance, has been a key player, providing cutting-edge technology and infrastructure solutions to ensure the network is world-class. Valard Construction is handling the on-the-ground work, while Beameo and Cyient have been vital in providing top-tier engineering support. LiteLinx, our passive fibre network solutions provider, is also playing a crucial role in making this project a reality.
We also want to give a special shoutout to the local community members who’ve been champions for this project from the beginning. A heartfelt thank you to Georges Bilodeau, Helen Bilodeau, Nancy Jones-Scissions, and Daniel McCambridge for their ongoing support and dedication to improving connectivity in Northern Ontario through community engagement and initiatives to raise awareness.
Technology in Action
At the event, attendees got to see firsthand the innovative technology being used to make this project happen. One of the highlights was a live demo of our specialized drilling technique that allows us to lay fibre-optic lines underground with minimal environmental impact. This ensures that while we’re improving connectivity, we’re also taking care of the local landscape.
We also showed how we’re using advanced vaults equipped with Nokia’s latest technology, which will allow us to monitor and maintain the network to keep things running smoothly. This means the communities we’re serving will get reliable, fast internet—without interruptions.
As Joe Hickey, President of PomeGran and Founder and President of ROCK Networks, put it:
“The Northern Ontario Gigabit Fibre Project is more than just a connectivity project; it’s about building future-ready communities that can thrive in the digital economy. Today, we celebrate not just the start of construction but the beginning of a new era for Northern Ontario. This project will help bridge the digital divide, providing essential connectivity that will enhance the quality of life for many families and businesses.”
The Path Forward
Now that we’ve broken ground, our team is ready to tackle the challenges of bringing high-speed internet to even the most remote areas in Northern Ontario. Over the next few months, we’ll be working hard to lay down the infrastructure that will connect homes across the region. This is just the beginning of a project that will change the way these communities interact with the world, offering them better access to services and numerous opportunities for growth.
Stay tuned for updates as we move forward and reshape the future of connectivity for Northern Ontario!
Broadband, Satellite Networks, and Wi-Fi, News