Yeah, it can be boring if there isnt anything in the same sector as you [which implies you basically won that sector]. Hopefully in such situations you can just switch to a different sector [by changing your squadron], or if your in command, outright leave with your squadron. It's not like every sector can be empty without you winning the campaign, but if neither of those are options you may have to advance time until something happens, which could suck. I guess you could just 'start mission' 'end mission' multiple times, picking the farthest in advance time one if more then ones available. It is, i think, a real problem and one of the biggest flaws of the game, but one that can be mitigated a bit.
Also, its worth mentioning often the lack of action in a sector can be lack of seeing a enemy, not a lack of enemy, in which case you could just scout a bit.. if you look around you may be able to see capital ships in the distance, even 1/2 the map away, if you squint. In such cases you could just launch a probe [if your a capital] or fly within the 200-250km of it necessary to 'see' it on sensors.. which will be transmitted back to your fleet, and then they will act on it.
Also: yes, i would love for interest in this game to be rekindled so it could be improved. Dynamic campaign multiplayer would be massively fun, as would general ai improvements, more ships, ect.. Hell, even a new game in this genre would be welcome, as every space game avoids the whole fleet-operations/capital-ship stuff in space games. I really would like to see more military-sci-fi games that focus on fleet operations.