Ciena® Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN), the network specialist, today announced that it has received regulatory approval under the Investment Canada Act in connection with Ciena’s acquisition of the optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN) business.

“Today’s regulatory approval confirms that the Minister of Industry is satisfied that our acquisition will be of net benefit to Canada,” said Gary Smith, Ciena’s CEO and president. “In addition to the positive benefits we expect for stockholders, employees, customers and suppliers, we have always believed that our transaction provided a substantial benefit to Canada and the Canadian marketplace and we are pleased with today’s important milestone.”

Ciena has now completed applicable regulatory reviews in the United States and Canada, and expects to close the transaction in the first quarter of calendar 2010.

Additional information about this proposed transaction is available on Ciena’s website at www.ciena.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 Investors

Forward-looking statements. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. 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. Forward-looking statements relating to the transaction described herein include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the transaction, including future financial and operating results, accretion to earnings per share arising from the transaction, integration costs, the expected amount and timing of cost savings and operating synergies, whether and when the transaction contemplated will be consummated, and the combined company's plans, expectations, objectives, and intentions. These statements are based on information available to Ciena as of the date hereof and actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties associated with Ciena’s business, which include the risk factors disclosed in Ciena’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 22, 2009. Risks relating to the proposed transaction include, but are not limited to: the anticipated benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction may not be realized; the integration could be materially delayed or may be more costly or difficult than expected; and the proposed transaction may not be consummated. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.