The global communications business turns its attention to IBC, and while the same overriding factor hovers over the gathering, attitudes about the effects of the economic slowdown seem to be improving.

At the beginning of 2009, many in the satellite communications field viewed the sector as recession-resistant, if not recession-proof, but those views seemed to wilt as a prolonged rollback in spending began to have an impact. The FSS operators, insulated by their long-term contracts from the immediate effects of spending cutbacks, continued with business as usual for the most part, but further down the chain, the effects of the recession were felt more sharply, especially among companies more dependent on individual consumers.

Now as IBC opens, there is a growing belief  that the world is coming out of its economic doldrums, and some investors at Euroconsult’s World Satellite Business Week praised the satellite sector as a safe harbor from the economic storm. But large gatherings such as IBC, and NAB and CommunicAsia before that, provide a good test of these theories. Activity on the exhibit floor and in conference rooms throughout the next five days will provide smaller satellite companies with a true barometer of the state of the economy and their prospects in the coming year.