MTS Allstream Inc. (“MTS Allstream”), one of Canada’s leading national communication solutions companies, and Ciena® Corporation (NASDAQ:CIEN) (“Ciena”), the network specialist, today announced a strategic partnership that will see MTS Allstream launch the next generation of Managed Wavelength Services to its business customers across Canada that require resilient network solutions for mission critical applications. MTS Allstream also joined Ciena’s BizConnect global partner program as a designated Managed Services Provider (MSP) partner.
This strategic partnership will enable the delivery of differentiated, high-speed managed optical services capable of transporting any type of protocol or network traffic to a variety of customers in MTS Allstream’s markets, serving major Canadian metropolitan areas including Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Based on Ciena’s CN 4200® FlexSelect® Advanced Services Platform, MTS Allstream’s managed optical networks will enable service flexibility and wavelength efficiency, while optimizing capacity to address high-bandwidth requirements for storage backup and disaster recovery needs.
“MTS Allstream has achieved another critical milestone in delivering true value to our customers and transforming the way our customers do business,” said Dean Prevost, President Enterprise Solutions, MTS Allstream. “Whether it’s a large business or a carrier using our wavelength services, our investment in state-of-the-art technology guarantees the network is available at the right time, and the right place to ensure customers have access to the most advanced, reliable telecommunications services in the country.”
“The practical innovations within our portfolio, coupled with the comprehensive resources of our BizConnect program, offer our partners operational and management simplicity while enabling high-value managed services that can be tailored flexibly to meet the needs of evolving enterprise applications,” said Theresa Caragol, Vice President, Global Alliances & Partners at Ciena. “BizConnect already serves a strong base of MSP partners, and we are excited to welcome MTS Allstream as our latest member.”
In addition to deploying Ciena’s CN 4200 to enable new managed services, MTS Allstream also deployed the CN 4200 across its metro and regional infrastructure nationwide to support the transition from a legacy, ring-based SONET network to a next-generation, scalable architecture that supports a growing range of high-bandwidth, IP-based services.
About MTS Allstream
MTS Allstream is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. As one of Canada’s leading
national communication solutions companies, MTS Allstream provides
innovative communications for the way Canadians want to live and work
today. The Company has more than 100 years of experience, with 6,000
employees across Canada dedicated to a mission of delivering true value
as seen through the eyes of our customers. In 2008, MTS Allstream had
nearly two million total customer connections spanning business
customers across Canada and residential consumers throughout the
province of Manitoba. The Company’s extensive national broadband and
fibre optic network spans almost 30,000 kilometres. MTS Allstream is a
proud sponsor of Cindy Klassen, 2006 World Champion and Canada’s
greatest Olympian, and a proud contributor to the Canadian Museum for
Human Rights. Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.’s common shares are listed
on The Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). Customers,
stakeholders and investors who want to learn more about MTS Allstream
services, markets, community commitments and record of creating
shareholder value are encouraged to visit: www.mtsallstream.com.
About Ciena
Ciena specializes in practical network
transition. We offer leading network infrastructure solutions,
intelligent software and a comprehensive services practice to help our
customers use their networks to fundamentally change the way they
compete. With a global presence, Ciena leverages its heritage of
practical innovation to deliver maximum performance and economic value
in communications networks worldwide. We routinely post recent news,
financial results and other important announcements and information
about Ciena on our website. 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 September 3, 2009. 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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Contacts:
Ciena Corporation
Nicole Anderson,
877-857–7377
pr@ciena.com
or
MTS
Allstream
Jill Gibson, 204-958-3392
media.relations@mtsallstream.com