By Jason Bates

As CommunicAsia opens, the main concern is the stalled economy and its impact on the communications sector. That is the same cloud that hung over shows that already have taken place in 2009, but what is different is the belief from many analysts and industry players that the effects of the global slowdown have not been felt in the Asia-Pacific region.
    The region has been somewhat shielded from the full impact of the economy, and many satellite-based business plans remain on track. Some of this can be attributed to the opportunities the region offers, such as a geography that favors satellite networks over other forms of communications, and the sheer size of the population in the Asia-Pacific region offers a tantalizing target for service industries of all types.
    But in this truly global economy, it is easy to wonder if the impact of the slowdown simply has not yet reached the Asia-Pacific region. Traffic at the show should provide some indication of the direction the communications sector is heading, and everyone hopes that events that take place in the next few days provide a solid foundation for the cautious optimism that exists today