Ciena® Corporation (NASDAQ:CIEN), the network specialist, today announced the CN 5060™ Multiservice Carrier Ethernet Platform has secured Carrier Ethernet certification from the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF). A cornerstone of Ciena’s FlexSelect™ Architecture, the CN 5060 is an element of the Company’s strategy to cost-effectively transition metro and edge aggregation networks to converged and optimized IP/Ethernet service delivery infrastructures.

The MEF’s Carrier Ethernet Certification Program is designed to accelerate the rollout of Carrier Ethernet services by reducing the time and cost of equipment testing, providing end users with consistent, reliable services across service providers and network equipment. Ciena’s CN 5060 was tested by Iometrix in accordance with its MEF-approved “Test Plan for Ethernet Services at the UNI,” receiving MEF 9 Service and MEF 14 Traffic Management certification.

“As a Charter Member of the MEF, we share the belief that certification enables our customers to accelerate decision-making and deployment considerations for Carrier Ethernet networks and services,” said Steve Alexander, CTO of Ciena. “Service flexibility, high reliability and delivery cost reductions are critical requirements for network operators in their quests to differentiate services. This MEF certification enhances the CN 5060’s ability for delivering those requirements and furthers the platform’s reputation for reliability and pseudowire support for high-performance business services, wireless backhaul and broadband aggregation.”

Multiple products in Ciena’s portfolio, including the CN 4200® FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform and CN 3000™ Ethernet Access Series, have achieved certified compliance to MEF specifications, further supporting Ciena’s commitment to standards-based Carrier Ethernet networking.

About the CN 5060 Multiservice Carrier Ethernet Platform

Based on Ciena’s field-proven, carrier-class packet switching technology, the CN 5060 is the first offering in the CN 5000™ Packet Services Series, and key element of Ciena’s FlexSelect Architecture. The platform provides unparalleled reliability with up to six-nines (99.9999 percent) availability to improve customer satisfaction and deliver voice-grade performance in packet networks. The CN 5060 delivers MEF-compliant services, Advanced Ethernet Interworking for Layer 2 services, MPLS functionality and support for TDM-over-packet capabilities, allowing service providers to deliver any service over a performance-grade converged Ethernet infrastructure.

About The Metro Ethernet Forum

The MEF is a global industry alliance comprised of 140+ organizations including telecommunications service providers, cable MSOs, network equipment/software manufacturers, semiconductors vendors and testing organizations. The MEF’s mission is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services. The MEF develops Carrier Ethernet technical specifications and implementation agreements to promote interoperability and deployment of Carrier Ethernet worldwide.

For more information about the Forum, including a complete listing of all current MEF members, please visit the MEF web site at http://www.MetroEthernetForum.org/

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-K, which Ciena filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 27, 2007. 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.