11:50 AM -- It might be tempting fate, but analyst crystal balls are suggesting that, following a grim 2009, next year will see increased spending on telecom equipment and services.

Earlier this year, a Light Reading Insider report suggested 2010 would see a rebound in telecom capital expenditures, driven mainly by the Asia/Pacific market, followed by further years of growth. (See Global Capex Set for 2010 Rebound.)

Now Gartner Inc. , in a broad overview of IT-related spending, has reported that "worldwide telecom spending is on pace to decline 4 percent in 2009 with revenue of nearly $1.9 trillion. In 2010, telecom spending is forecast to grow 3.2 percent."

Find out more about Gartner's forecasts here.

— Ray Le Maistre, International News Editor, Light Reading