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PomeGran Awarded $172 Million FTTH Project to Provide Gigabit Broadband Connectivity to Rural and Indigenous Communities in Northern Ontario

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2 years ago

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Project includes $97 million in government funding and additional investments from PomeGran through financing partnerships with the Canada Infrastructure Bank and Stonebridge Financial Corporation.

TORONTO, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – PomeGran Inc. (PomeGran), Canada’s fastest growing fibre-centric rural broadband provider, through its subsidiary ROCK Networks, has received $97 million in federal and provincial government funding to build new fibre broadband infrastructure in rural and Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario. The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Canada’s Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, together with Amarjot Sandhu, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Infrastructure and Member of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies and the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, for the Government of Ontario, announced the investment today.

Building on this support, PomeGran is set to embark on a significant new project to construct and operate an end-to-end fibre network that will deliver speeds up to 25 Gbps to 18,663 underserved households, including 2,580 Indigenous households in the Huron Shore and Manitoulin Island region. This groundbreaking initiative will provide much-needed connectivity to areas along Hwy 17 from Lively to Garden River, including Elliot Lake, St. Joseph, and Manitoulin Island. The network will provide connectivity to residents over a 50,000 sq. km geography.

Through their engagement with the not-for-profit H&M COFI organization, PomeGran has connected with various communities, ensuring their needs and voices were considered. This project aims to provide high-speed broadband Internet to homes, businesses, and institutions in the Huron Shore and Manitoulin Island region. Their vision is to enhance global access and influence in the region, with fibre-based technology, transforming the digital landscape of the area.

PomeGran will own and operate the network. The open access framework will attempt to foster a competitive market, enabling numerous ISPs to offer diverse services to consumers, at competitive prices.

To future-proof the network, PomeGran is deploying XGS-PON and 25G PON to provide multi-gigabit broadband to residences and businesses. In addition, PomeGran’s patent pending advanced fibre technology and outdoor passive fibre infrastructure will ensure lightning-fast connectivity and the ability to scale to speeds and reliability not previously available to rural and Indigenous communities.

“Receiving this investment is a significant milestone for PomeGran. It underscores our dedication to bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to high-speed Internet in rural and Indigenous communities,” said Dr. Kalai S. Kalaichelvan, Chairman & CEO of PomeGran. “This funding will not only connect households but also lay the groundwork for a more connected and prosperous future for all residents.”

“PomeGran is excited to receive this investment, a testament to our shared commitment with the Governments of Canada and Ontario to bring high-speed Internet to rural and Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario,” said Joe Hickey, President of PomeGran. “This strategic investment signifies a crucial step towards achieving Canada’s nationwide connectivity targets, and with our commitment to an open access network, it will help foster competition in the market, making high-speed Internet more affordable in the region.”

“This infusion of government funding marks a pivotal moment for connectivity in Huron Shore and Manitoulin Island. More households gaining access to high-speed Internet means many benefits for our communities. It means enhanced opportunities for online education, access to virtual healthcare, and increased productivity for local businesses,” said Georges Bilodeau, Chairperson of H&M COFI. “This is not just about connecting households; it’s also about fortifying the foundation of our communities for a brighter and more interconnected future.”

“We are enthusiastic about partnering on this high-speed Internet project, which will significantly enhance connectivity and economic opportunities within our community. Our collaboration on the network and construction efforts is a testament to our commitment to sustainable development. Reliable Internet access will empower our community by providing better opportunities for education, healthcare, and local businesses,” said Ogimaa Kwe Rachel Manitowabi, of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.

“High-speed Internet is no longer considered just a luxury. The federal funding committed today will bring reliable high-speed Internet to more than 18,600 underserved homes in communities across Northern Ontario. Communities large and small need to have a reliable connection so they can grow their potential in this digital world,” said The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The funding comes from the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF), by the Government of Canada and  Ontario’s Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) program. The UBF, a $3.225 billion investment by the Government of Canada, is designed to help connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% connectivity by 2030. This initiative is supported by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), which plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and connectivity across the country. Through the ICON and other programs, the Ontario government has committed $4 billion to expand and improve broadband and cellular access across the province. This investment is part of a broader effort to enhance digital infrastructure and ensure that more Ontarians, especially those in rural and underserved areas, have reliable Internet connectivity.

Additionally, to complete the project, PomeGran is investing $75 million through financing partnerships with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and Stonebridge Financial Corporation. This joint initiative by PomeGran, a private Canadian investment firm, and the federal and provincial Governments aligns with the strategic priorities of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry to enhance digital infrastructure and promote economic development through improved connectivity. 

About PomeGran Inc.
PomeGran Inc. is Canada’s fastest growing fibre-centric broadband infrastructure provider. Dedicated to enhancing broadband services, PomeGran has emerged as a leader on a mission to empower underserved markets in Quebec and Ontario. PomeGran is investing in rural Quebec and Northern Ontario as part of their strategic plan. Boasting ownership of broadband networks, underground and aerial fibre assets, and fixed wireless access (FWA) assets, PomeGran is committed to bridging the digital divide that exists between urban, rural, and Indigenous communities. Founded on the fundamental principle of ensuring equitable access to high-speed Internet, PomeGran believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in today’s digital-first economy. Please visit www.pomegran.com.

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SOURCE PomeGran Inc.

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Synagie Unveils Geene 2.0 – BytePlus, SingData and FLY Entertainment Among 12 Founding Partners Building Trusted AI Commerce

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46 minutes ago

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July 22, 2026

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Co-developed by leaders across AI, data, media, commerce and blockchain, the Trusted AI Commerce Intelligence Ecosystem gives enterprises a practical way to scale AI with confidence.

SINGAPORE, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Synagie, the flagship digital commerce and technology brand of Hong Kong-listed Synagistics Limited (HKEX: 2562), today unveiled Geene 2.0, a Trusted AI Commerce Intelligence Ecosystem (a SaaS platform) designed to help businesses move beyond isolated AI applications towards trusted, scalable business transformation.

While many organisations have adopted AI for content generation, analytics and workflow automation, these capabilities often operate independently, making it difficult to translate intelligence into measurable business outcomes while maintaining governance and accountability.

Geene 2.0 addresses this challenge by bringing together specialised capabilities across data, artificial intelligence, media, commerce and blockchain into a single software-as-a-service platform. Businesses can analyse markets, formulate strategies, generate content, automate operations and verify products through one connected ecosystem.

The platform will be commercially available in early August 2026.

The preview was witnessed by Guest-of-Honour Mr Desmond Tan, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and Deputy Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), alongside more than 200 business leaders, ecosystem partners, customers and invited guests.

Built by Twelve Industry Leaders

Geene 2.0 was co-developed by twelve founding partners, each contributing deep expertise across data, artificial intelligence, commerce, media and blockchain.

Rather than relying on a single vendor to provide every capability, Geene 2.0 combines best-in-class technologies into one coordinated platform, enabling enterprises to deploy AI faster while reducing implementation complexity.

At the heart of the platform is the ecosystem’s proprietary ASSET intelligence engine, which orchestrates every stage of AI-driven commerce through five interconnected intelligence layers:

ASSET Layer

Business Outcome

Analyse

Transform market, customer and business data into actionable intelligence

Strategise

Recommend AI-driven commercial strategies and business decisions

Storytelling

Generate multilingual marketing, commerce and customer content

Execute

Automate commerce operations, customer engagement and sales workflows

Trust

Verify products, AI actions and business claims through blockchain-backed traceability

Together, these five intelligence layers transform AI from standalone tools into a coordinated business capability spanning insight, execution and trust.

The founding partners are:

BytePlus

China Mobile International

DataCloud

DU-MAS

FLY Entertainment

International Brand Centre

Masverse

Mei Ah Entertainment

SingData

Synagie

Yiwise

Zeneva

A Vision for the Next Generation of AI Commerce

Ms Pei Gy Wong, Chief Digital Officer of Synagie Group Asia and Europe, said:  “The next generation of AI will not be won by the companies with the largest models. It will be led by those who can build the greatest trust.

Businesses do not need more AI tools. They need AI they can trust to make better decisions, execute with confidence and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Geene 2.0 reflects our belief that the future of enterprise AI lies in collaboration. By bringing together industry leaders across data, AI, commerce, media and blockchain, we are giving businesses a practical pathway to adopt AI with confidence and at scale.”

Demonstrating the Enterprise Intelligence Ecosystem in Action

Geene 2.0 has already moved beyond concept into commercial deployment through AGONG Durian, a premium Malaysian durian brand supplied and blockchain-tagged by founding partner DU-MAS.

The implementation demonstrates how AI-powered market intelligence, content creation, commerce automation and blockchain verification can operate together in a real business environment to improve operational efficiency while strengthening consumer confidence.

The same framework can be applied across industries including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, consumer goods and luxury products where authenticity, compliance and trust have become increasingly important.

Accelerating Trusted AI Adoption in Singapore

Technology alone is not enough to accelerate AI adoption. Businesses also need access, practical implementation pathways and a workforce equipped with the right skills.

Synagie’s Geene 2.0 is one example of a digital solution that can help companies address common business challenges such as improving operational efficiency, strengthening decision-making, streamlining workflows and enhancing customer engagement. Companies seeking such solutions may explore implementation through the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) initiative. Through the CTC Grant, eligible companies can receive up to 70% funding support for projects that drive business transformation and workforce outcomes, including job redesign, skills development and productivity improvements. Workers could also benefit from wage increase, structured career pathways and/or skills allowance.

Synagie is also collaborating with the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union to strengthen AI readiness for its workers, including PMEs.

Looking Ahead

As enterprise AI adoption accelerates across Asia, Synagie believes the next phase of innovation will be defined by trusted ecosystems rather than standalone AI applications.

By combining intelligence, execution and accountability in one platform, Geene 2.0 provides businesses with a practical foundation to scale AI confidently while positioning Singapore as a leader in responsible enterprise AI innovation.

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SOURCE Synagie

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StarHub Strengthens Position as a Trusted Regional Digital Transformation Partner with HPE APAC Recognition

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July 22, 2026

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SINGAPORE, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — StarHub has been named APAC Service Provider of the Year 2026 by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), recognising its success in helping enterprises modernise critical infrastructure, and deliver secure, resilient and AI-ready digital transformation.

The HPE Partner of the Year Awards recognise partners that have demonstrated excellence in delivering customer outcomes, driving innovation and creating measurable business impact.

StarHub’s recognition reflects its growing role as a trusted digital transformation partner, helping organisations translate technology investments into measurable business outcomes through its Modern Digital Infrastructure (MDI) platform strategy.

Underpinned by a cloud-native, hybrid multi-cloud architecture, MDI brings together networks, cloud, cybersecurity and clean data on a unified data platform. Combining AI-driven automation, operational intelligence and advanced analytics, it helps organisations modernise infrastructure, strengthen resilience and accelerate innovation for sustainable growth.

Through its MDI strategy and collaboration with HPE, StarHub partnered the National University of Singapore (NUS) to realise the Borderless University vision by implementing a smart, safe and sustainable ubiquitous network. By integrating StarHub’s enterprise networking, solar-powered Wi-Fi and private 5G capabilities, the joint initiative has strengthened digital connectivity and supported more flexible, seamless and secure learning experiences for students and faculty across campus beyond traditional boundaries, in Singapore and overseas.

“As organisations accelerate digital transformation and AI adoption, effective implementation increasingly depends on strong industry expertise, collaboration, and the ability to translate ideas into practical outcomes,” said Tan Kit Yong, Chief, Regional Enterprise, StarHub. “Our collaboration with NUS reflects a shared commitment in supporting digital capabilities that will enhance everyday technology experiences for faculty, researchers, staff and students. This recognition highlights the broader importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing evolving technology needs.”

For more information, visit starhub.com/managedservices.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/starhub-strengthens-position-as-a-trusted-regional-digital-transformation-partner-with-hpe-apac-recognition-302831718.html

SOURCE StarHub

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Zeal Connect launches the world’s first AI-native help desk built exclusively for travel and beta customers say it changes how operations are run

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46 minutes ago

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July 22, 2026

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Travel Moves Billions of People a Year on Software That Can’t Read a Booking. Zeal Desk Just Changed That.

PUNE, India, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Anyone who has run a travel operation knows the 2 AM story: a guest standing at a front desk in another time zone, a hotel that never received the amendment, and the ticket that could have prevented it sitting in a queue sorted by age, not urgency inside software built for password resets, not people in transit.

That story ends with today’s launch of Zeal Desk; the world’s first AI-native help desk built exclusively for the travel industry. It wasn’t adapted from a generic tool it was written for travel from the first line of code, so it reads PNRs and hotel confirmation numbers the way a seasoned agent does, opens the live booking behind every ticket, and sorts the queue by check-in date because in travel, urgency is measured in arrivals, not ticket age.

Behind the desk, five specialised AI agents: Classifier, Prioritiser, Resolver, Auditor and Reconfirmation put the routine on Autopilot: amendments, refunds, cancellations and reconfirmations are now resolved end-to-end on the live booking, with every reply audited before it leaves. Every request email, WhatsApp or chat lands in one booking-aware inbox and follows playbooks the operator writes in plain language.

Classic Holidays ran Zeal Desk through its beta and came out convinced.

“We walked in skeptical, every help desk claims AI these days. Then we watched Zeal Desk open the booking, check the fare rule, contact the hotel and close the ticket before an agent could finish reading it. Our first reaction was disbelief. Our second was simpler: we are never running operations the old way again.”
 – Rishabh Doshi, Managing Director, Classic Holidays.

“Travel has spent two decades running the world’s most operationally complex industry on hand-me-down software tools that don’t know what a PNR is. Zeal Desk is what support looks like when it’s built for travel from day one. It isn’t a better ticket queue; it’s a different way to run a travel operation.”
 – Yogesh Chaudhari, Co-founder & CEO, Zeal Connect.

Zeal Desk arrives enterprise-ready SSO/SAML, GDPR tooling, PII redaction, multi-brand workspaces and SLA engines connecting to GDS, mid-office, CRM and booking stacks, and is live today with OTAs, DMCs, bedbanks and agencies across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Zeal Desk is available now at zealconnect.com

ABOUT ZEAL CONNECT

Zeal Connect builds AI-powered products for the B2B travel industry, serving OTAs, DMCs, travel agencies, bedbanks and supplier operations teams worldwide. Its platform spans Zeal Desk, the AI-native travel help desk, and Zeal Reconfirmation, the pre-check-in hotel confirmation service. Zeal Connect is headquartered in Pune, India.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zeal-connect-launches-the-worlds-first-ai-native-help-desk-built-exclusively-for-travel-and-beta-customers-say-it-changes-how-operations-are-run-302831716.html

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