Chris Sweetman
Chris is a graduate from the University of Auckland with degrees in commerce and science majoring in economics, finance, applied mathematics and physics.
Since joining Covec in mid 2007, he has been using his analytical skills to develop quantitative models for a variety of sectors including telecommunications, retail and tourism. Chris’ work has been used to support resource management applications, policy formulation and legal processes.
Contact Details
Expertise
Recent Work
Benchmarking wholesale broadband prices
Backhaul refers to the core (backbone) network via which broadband and other services travel. In this project, we used a range of international data to compare proposed local backhaul prices with those overseas. This assisted the Commerce Commission to set an initial price for this service, which is subject to ongoing review and refinement.
Demand for high-speed broadband in Auckland
Primary research and econometric modelling of willingness to pay for enhanced broadband services by households and firms in the Auckland region.
Drivers of economic growth in Auckland
Review of the state of knowledge regarding economic growth in Auckland, including the potential benefits of agglomeration and innovation.
Forecasting demand for transmission grid services
Analysis of trends and step changes in demand for electricity at grid exit points, several projects.
Liberalisation of telecommunications in the Solomon Islands
Negotiating an early end to the monopoly telecommunications franchise, including design of regulatory regime, interconnection rates and estimation of fair compensation.
Liberalisation of telecommunications in Vanuatu
Negotiation of an early end to the monopoly telecommunications franchise including compensation modelling. Provision of complete regulatory service for first 18 months of the new competitive regime, including design and implementation of universal access policy.
Merger analysis in the waste industry
Detailed empirical modelling of the cost and demand for different forms of waste collection in cities of varying sizes, including modelling economies of route density.
The composition and scale of Auckland’s economy
Analysis of the population, the industrial structure, economic outcomes for Aucklanders, and the economic links between Auckland and other places.
The risk of viral contamination of blood products
Detailed empirical modelling of contamination rates in blood plasma samples in support of applications to federal regulators in the USA (the FDA).