Digital Economy Research, Forecasts & Analysis

Microsoft’s $25B Australian Investment: Avoiding AI’s Technology Lock-In

: This report analyses the strategic logic of Microsoft’s Australian expansion, the financial necessity of future price hikes, the resulting risks of a global AI oligopoly, and the specific steps Australian firms must take to manage their exposure to this emerging dependency.

Datagrid’s NZ Data Centre Moves to Implementation - ANZ Becomes Key Node in Global Digital Infrastructure

: This report analyses the strategic development of Datagrid’s hyperscale data centre in Southland, New Zealand, and the associated Tasman Ring subsea cable network. It explores how the project leverages New Zealand’s renewable energy and cool climate to create a globally competitive 'AI Factory.' Th…

US Verdicts Hit Meta and YouTube - Implications for ANZ Social Media Regulation

: This report analyzes the impact of landmark March 2026 US jury verdicts against Meta and YouTube on social media regulation in Australia and New Zealand. It explores how findings of negligent design and executive knowledge of harm provide a legal foundation for Australia's under-16 social media ban…

Telstra’s Mobile Price Hikes a Bitter Pill - For A Healthier Industry

: This report analyses the 2024–2026 surge in Australian mobile pricing, led by Telstra’s May 2026 adjustments. It explores competitive responses, the strategic role of sub-brands like Boost and amaysim, and the fiscal imperative of price increases to sustain infrastructure investment amidst rising c…

The Seat is Dead - Investors and IT Service Firms Prepare for a Post-SaaS World

: The February 2026 collapse of the ASX Information Technology (XIJ) sector marks a structural pivot in the Australasian TMT landscape. Driven by a "confidence compression" in seat-based revenue models, market darlings like Xero and WiseTech have experienced historic de-valuations as artificial intel…