In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Joe Hickey, President of PomeGran, for a conversation about the realities of expanding rural broadband in Canada. Joe reflects on his 35-year career spanning telecom, defense electronics, wireless, and broadband, sharing how his passion for connecting communities has shaped his work today.

The discussion explores the challenges of delivering high-speed internet to remote regions, including navigating Canada’s grant programs, working through Indigenous land approvals, managing multi-utility make-ready processes, and operating in extreme northern climates. Joe talks about Canada’s multi-billion-dollar broadband funding initiatives and how they compare to the U.S. BEAD program, as well as the importance of community engagement and local partnerships in driving adoption. He also examines strategies for monetizing both new and existing networks in low-density areas and explains the broader economic benefits of rural broadband, from attracting industry and new residents to boosting GDP. Looking ahead, Joe discusses opportunities in satellite, 5G, and open-access networks, underscoring the need for passion, persistence, and creativity to overcome obstacles and keep projects moving forward.