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CIENA Demonstrates Packet Switching Interoperability With Key Vendors in the Cable Market

Posted on: Monday, 14 June 2004, 06:00 CDT

CIENA and Partners to Demonstrate Multiservice Triple-Play Network at Cable-Tec Expo

CIENA(R) Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN) today announced that it has proven packet switching interoperability with key vendors in the cable market ensuring that MSOs can more efficiently deliver triple-play and commercial services to subscribers in a multi-vendor environment. The key partners included in this testing are ADC Telecommunications, BigBand Networks, MidStream Technologies, SeaChange International, Syndeo Corporation and Terayon Communications Systems (see today's announcement titled "CIENA Integrates Packet Switching Into Intelligent Metro Access and Transport Solutions" for more information about CIENA's new packet switching capabilities).

These vendors are participating in a demonstration at the Cable-Tec Expo 2004 in Orlando, Fla. (June 15-18), showing interoperability and the "Cable Triple-Play" in CIENA's booth #2935.

"CIENA's cable customers rely on us to provide carrier-grade multiservice, converged networks from hub to headend to the metro or core. We are serious about this responsibility and have set-out to partner and interoperate with the top vendors and technology leaders in the cable market," said Mitch Auster, director of cable product marketing, CIENA. "It is important for us show that our transport and packet switching products will easily work with these key partner platforms, all of which play a significant role in delivering today's triple-play services across an end-to-end, multi-vendor cable infrastructure."

Specifically, CIENA has proven interoperability between the CN 4300 Managed Optical Transport and Switching Platform (formally called the LightStack GSLAM from Internet Photonics) and the following platforms:

-- ADC Telecommunications: Interoperability with ADC Telecommunications' Cuda(TM) CMTS. The focus of the testing was on high-speed data and VoIP packet switching over Optical Ethernet transport. The test successfully proved interoperability, as well as multi-tiered quality of service with low latency, wire-rate switching and fast protection switching.

The Cuda CMTS is a scalable and highly reliable platform for DOCSIS(R)-based video, voice and data services, based on a chassis design for carrier-class IP switching and routing, upgradeable modular components, superior RF spectrum management, and best-in-class redundancy to ensure service availability.

On May 25, BigBand Networks signed an agreement to acquire the ADC IP Cable Business Unit, which includes the Cuda CMTS. The transaction is scheduled to close by June 30, 2004.

-- BigBand Networks: Interoperability with BigBand Networks' BMR(R) video switch and BME(TM) EdgeQAM. The focus of the testing was on broadcast and on-demand video content aggregation and switching over Optical Ethernet transport. The test successfully proved interoperability, as well as low latency and jitter, wire-rate switching, and fast protection switching.

The BMR (Broadband Multimedia-Service Router) is a high capacity platform with versatile support for services, including: digital broadcast grooming for control of SDTV and HDTV programming with RateShaping(R) to maintain video quality at maximum bandwidth efficiency; standards-based splicing of local advertising and programming with precise geographic targeting; Gigabit Ethernet transport of high quality video including enhanced service reliability from redundant facilities; dense edge modulation of VOD and broadcast programming; and switched broadcast to dynamically provision live programming in response to real-time subscriber demand, thus expanding offerings and improving plant efficiency.

The BME (Broadband Multimedia-Service Edge) is a purpose-built high-density platform that terminates local and distant transport links by optical or electronic Gigabit Ethernet, and directs the right on-demand and broadcast programming towards the right subscribers with robust QAM modulation and RF upconversion.

-- MidStream Technologies: Interoperability with MidStream Technologies' MVS-2000(TM) video server. The focus of the testing was on standard and high-definition Video On Demand content aggregation and switching over Optical Ethernet transport. The two companies also were able to prove a storage extension application over fiber channel, which is useful for cost-effective, regionally centralized content archives, with CIENA's CN 2000(TM) platform. The test successfully proved interoperability, as well as high throughput, low latency and jitter, wire-rate switching, and fast protection switching.

The MVS-2000 is engineered with the future of everything-on-demand television in mind. High-bandwidth video ingest features make it possible to not only capture, store and stream hundreds of standard-definition television channels, but to make programs available within seconds of their original air time. Plus, MidStream's intelligent, hierarchical storage architecture solves the need for efficient, affordable storage as the multi-terabyte world of everything-on-demand or "network DVR" (nDVR) approaches.

-- SeaChange International: Interoperability with SeaChange's VOD System(TM). The focus of the testing was on standard and high-definition On Demand content aggregation and switching over Optical Ethernet transport. The test successfully proved interoperability, as well as high throughput, low latency and jitter, wire-rate switching, and fast protection switching.

SeaChange's VOD System - a modular technology platform with patented MediaCluster servers, end-to-end automation software and real-time broadcast recording gear - enables broadband operators to easily enhance on-demand programming services. Open and standards-based, SeaChange VOD Systems are currently delivering over 1,000,000 streams for broadband operators around the world. On-demand is changing television in dramatic ways, and SeaChange is supporting its customers with new ways to deliver programming -- and advertising -- that is more relevant to viewers.

-- Syndeo Corporation: Interoperability with Syndeo Corporation's Syion(TM) 426 call management server. The focus of the testing was on PacketCable VoIP telephony and SIP-based video telephony switching over Optical Ethernet transport. The test successfully proved interoperability, as well as multi-tiered quality of service with low latency, wire-rate switching, and fast protection switching.

The Syion 426 is a powerful second-generation, carrier-grade CLASS 5/Local Exchange softswitch and services platform that delivers an extensive suite of revenue-generating features across any combination of legacy (TDM and H.323) or next-gen (SIP and MGCP/NCS) networks. As the only multi-vendor, standards-based, carrier-grade alternative to legacy TDM-based phone services, the Syion 426 far transcends its competition.

-- Terayon Communications Systems: Interoperability with Terayon's BW3500 CMTS. The focus of the testing was on high-speed data and VoIP and video telephony packet switching over Optical Ethernet transport. The test successfully proved interoperability, as well as multi-tiered quality of service with low latency, wire-rate switching and fast protection switching.

Terayon's BW 3500 is a carrier-class CMTS (Cable Modem Termination System) designed for cable operators' most demanding broadband voice and data applications. It is the only CMTS qualified to meet both the DOCSIS 2.0 and PacketCable(TM) broadband data and voice specifications, and offers redundant components plus other advanced redundancy features to ensure carrier-class VoIP service delivery. Deployed in a cable operator's headend - the central point of a cable network - the BW 3500 supports all DOCSIS cable modems and PacketCable MTAs (Multimedia Terminal Adaptors) used by the operator's subscribers, forming an end-to-end system for delivering broadband services.

Interoperability testing also is planned or underway with additional vendors and products.

For more information about the companies and products enclosed within this press release please visit: -0- *T ADC www.adc.com BigBand Networks www.bigbandnet.com MidStream Technologies: www.midstream.com SeaChange International: www.schange.com Syndeo Corporation: www.syndeocorp.com Terayon Communications Systems: www.terayon.com *T

ABOUT CIENA

CIENA Corporation delivers innovative network solutions to the world's largest service providers, cable operators, and enterprises, increasing the cost-efficiency of current services while enabling the creation of new carrier-class data services built upon the existing network infrastructure. Additional information about CIENA can be found at www.ciena.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions of CIENA (the Company) that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this release, including but not limited to the features and benefits of CIENA's products, are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in such forward-looking statements, due to risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, which include the risk factors disclosed in the Company's Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2004. Forward looking statements include statements regarding the Company'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. The Company 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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