LINTHICUM, Md., Apr 29, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ciena(R) Corporation (NASDAQ:CIEN), the network specialist, today announced its FiberFinder service, a unique fiber locating solution powered by NEF, one of the nation's top telecommunications consulting firms, which offers enterprises and carriers the ability to identify available fiber resources while developing optimal network connectivity.

Today's enterprises must ensure business continuity and disaster recovery, expedite and enhance services, and enable closer collaboration between geographically-dispersed locations - all while reducing total cost of network ownership. These concerns have created new challenges for IT departments looking for resilient and flexible networks to support critical process improvements and new bandwidth-intensive applications such as virtualization, LAN extension and data replication.

In partnership with NEF, Ciena created a comprehensive service to enable enterprises to cost-effectively address these evolving network demands by reducing the fiber discovery and pricing lead times inherent in locating optimal fiber connectivity solutions. Powered by NEF's FiberLocator(TM), Ciena's FiberFinder leverages one of the largest independent databases that catalogs millions of miles of U.S. fiber optic networks covering more than 100 metro areas across the country. With data and maps encompassing metro and long-haul fiber as well as on-net locations, interconnects, LEC central offices and more, FiberFinder offers customers a valuable guide of the available fiber landscape to help achieve their connectivity needs.

"Together with Ciena, we're empowering organizations with information that will save them time, effort and a tremendous amount of money in sourcing and deploying a communications solution," said Michael Murphy, president of NEF. "FiberFinder is a unique service that provides enterprises the intelligence needed to design a successful fiber network end-to-end."

"We're pleased to team with NEF to offer this level of network intelligence to enterprises and carriers as they look to build advanced communication infrastructures," said Ray Patalano, senior manager, enterprise field marketing, Ciena. "With enhanced optical networks gaining popularity among enterprise organizations in addressing the burgeoning demand for increased bandwidth, higher speeds and added security, Ciena and NEF are offering a turn-key solution that reduces the research and implementation costs associated with sourcing an optical network solution."

Ciena is a member of the Storage Networking Industry Association and Wall Street Technology Association, and its solutions and services help a variety of leading enterprises to create customized bandwidth to fit connectivity requirements for emerging applications, data replication and legacy traffic.

Ciena will showcase FiberFinder service demonstrations in booth #2551 at Interop Las Vegas, April 29 - May 2 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. For more information on Ciena's FiberFinder solution, visit www.ciena.com/fiberfinder.

About NEF

NEF, Inc., is one of the nation's top telecommunications consulting firms, offering 25 years of industry experience and a proven methodology for providing its customers with the best networks, information and pricing available. NEF can provide a broad spectrum of products from dark fiber to high bandwidth, fully managed optical services. Through their partners, NEF designs custom connectivity solutions and provides access to over 80 fiber providers in 48 states, 3 million miles of metro and national fiber and over 80,000 lit buildings.

About Ciena

Ciena specializes in network transition. We provide the flexible platforms, intelligent software and professional services to build converged networks for enhanced services and applications. With a growing global presence, Ciena leverages its heritage of practical innovation to deliver maximum performance and economic value in communications networks worldwide. For more information, visit www.ciena.com.

Note to Ciena Investors

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof; and Ciena's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in its Report on Form 10-Q, which Ciena filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 7, 2008. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Ciena's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will," and "would" or similar words. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE: Ciena Corporation