Bevan Slattery called for rewiring Australia’s digital backbone to support AI, cloud and sovereign compute at Cloud and Infrastructure Edge.

In conversation with ADAPT’s Senior Research Director Matt Boon, Bevan Slattery, Founder of Cloudscene, Superloop, Megaport, NEXTDC and Co-Founder of PIPE Networks, reflected on the evolution of cloud in enterprise.

With organisations projected to need 25 percent more compute power over the next two years, cloud is now embedded in digital strategy.

Bevan raised a critical challenge. Australia ranks 23rd in global innovation, and he questioned how the country can rewire its digital infrastructure to meet future demands.

Through his company Soda, he is advancing this goal with initiatives like the SMAP subsea cable project connecting Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

The project aims to create a secure, high capacity backbone to support AI, cloud and sovereign compute.

Bevan outlined Australia’s opportunity to become a digital hub for the Indo Pacific.

As tensions grow across shallow sea routes such as the South China Sea, subsea cable infrastructure is increasingly at risk. Australia’s geographical position, stability and deepwater access give it an advantage.

Hyperscalers like Google and Meta are already recognising this through recent cable investments.

He warned, however, that digital sovereignty must be a shared responsibility, not something left entirely to government.

Drawing on international examples, Bevan explained how industry must play a leading role in building trusted infrastructure.

He noted that accidental or bureaucratic disruptions, such as slow permitting, can be just as damaging as geopolitical events.

Despite these advantages, short term thinking is undermining Australia’s digital transformation.

Bevan called for urgent regulatory reform to accelerate infrastructure and energy projects.

Rather than retrofitting outdated systems, he urged bold investment in new energy sources to meet AI driven compute demand.

He advocated for the use of renewables where feasible, introduce gas as a transitional supply and make plans now for nuclear to provide long term baseload power.

He also addressed the workforce challenge, calling for immersive, project based learning and deeper collaboration between industry and universities.

Practical experience, he argued, is essential to grow the next generation of digital infrastructure leaders.

Key takeaways:

  • Australia must rewire its digital infrastructure. Projects like the SMAP subsea cable are critical to ensuring secure and sovereign connectivity for growing AI and cloud demands.
  • Geopolitical risk and regulatory inertia are major threats. Bevan called for faster permitting and deeper collaboration between government and industry to protect Australia’s role as a digital hub.
  • Bold energy and workforce strategies are essential. These include renewables, transitional gas, long term nuclear planning and hands on learning to equip future infrastructure leaders.
Contributors
Bevan Slattery Founder of Cloudscene, Superloop, Megaport, NEXTDC and Co-Founder PIPE Networks
Bevan Slattery, one of Australia’s leading entrepreneurs, has founded some of the nation’s biggest technology success stories. Starting as a co-founder of... More

Bevan Slattery, one of Australia’s leading entrepreneurs, has founded some of the nation’s biggest technology success stories. Starting as a co-founder of PIPE Networks, Australia’s largest Internet Exchange and third largest metropolitan fibre network provider, Slattery sold the company to TPG in 2010.

Subsequently, he founded NEXTDC, Australia’s largest data centre operator; Megaport, the global leading elastic interconnection provider; Cloudscene, the world’s largest platform for searching cloud and connectivity services; Biopixel, Australia’s leading production service provider for natural history and animal behavioural sequences; Superloop, a Pan-Asian infrastructure-based telecommunications provider; SubPartners, a submarine cable operator and Indigo Cable investor; and SUB.CO, an Independent specialist submarine cable development group constructing the new Oman Australia Cable (OAC).

Slattery’s entrepreneurial success is highlighted in having listed a record five companies on the Australian Stock Exchange and received many industry awards including EY Champion of Entrepreneurs Award in 2016, National Charles Todd Medal, and the Pearcy Foundations Benson Award.

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Matt Boon Senior Research Director at ADAPT
Matt Boon is the Senior Director for Strategic Research at ADAPT, responsible for directing and developing research content and positions. For over... More

Matt Boon is the Senior Director for Strategic Research at ADAPT, responsible for directing and developing research content and positions.

For over 30 years, Matt has worked in research and advisory, including senior leadership roles at Gartner as Principal Analyst, Research Director, and Managing Vice President, where his 18 year history included working with Dell, Microsoft, and many others.

Throughout his career, Matt has been a sought after and highly respected authority on the local and global IT landscape.​ He interacts with executives daily, bringing together groups of C-suite leaders to discuss and prepare for the challenges and opportunities they face.​
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At ADAPT, Matt hosts numerous industry-leading business and technology events which Matt chairs, including the yearly Security Edge conference, delivering unique market trends and white-papers, advising executives across the technology provider landscape to make informed IT decisions.​

When he is not working, Matt enjoys walking the many trails of the NSW Southern Highlands, travelling and listening to music. He is also partial to a good steak and nice glass of red wine.

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