Go East

CommunicAsia 2009 is coming up. It will take place from 16-19 June in Singapore, and its organisers are anticipating a strong turnout this year, despite the state of the world’s economy. It is true that the infocomm sector in many Asian countries has found itself outperforming other market sectors and that the telecommunications market in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines is expected to reach a massive US$37.5 billion in 2009. However, the anticipation ahead of the CommunicAsia event is also down to the international companies that are turning to Asia and viewing the continent as a key part of their expansion plans. So what makes Asia so attractive to these companies?

It is no secret that the Asian population likes to be at the technological cutting edge. The trends that reach the Western world months, even years later, have already been tried and tested by the East. Asia boasts a technology savvy people who always have one eye on the future. The majority of the technological trends that spread across the world are often born in Asia. This enthusiasm and hunger for all things new is attractive, especially to technology companies and of course, satellite companies. The demand from Asia for services that satellite can deliver is not set to diminish by any great amount, even in troubled economic times.

Asia is a vast continent with a vast population and Universal Service Obligations. Bridging the digital divide is not only a requirement that must be met in order for those located in the more remote communities to enjoy the communications and services available to those living in towns and cities, but it is big business for satellite. In many situations, satellite is the only means of accessing the Internet and communications due to difficult terrain, for instance, or to reach the places where fibre simply cannot reach or is too expensive to lay. This means there is a huge untapped market just waiting to be connected. Yet another good reason to turn to Asia.

Asia is seeing serious economic growth. Over the past ten years countries such as Taiwan, Hong-Kong, Singapore and South Korea have all made their mark and there are many countries following suite – take Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia – all have seen huge development in recent times. This is a dynamic and exciting region where business – especially technology – is king. Singapore, for example, is busy transforming itself into a digital hub with a huge amount of government investment.

In order for a business to call itself truly international, and to have an effect across the globe, a company has to be in Asia. There is no question. This is a region that is experiencing a growth spurt that seems only set to continue and the satellite industry seems to be making a positive impact here. Already we have seen companies such as iDirect and Thuraya make moves to begin aggressive campaigns in the region. This year, it is expected that there will be many more making the same kind of move in order to expand into this thriving part of the world that has so much to offer.

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