Ciena® Corporation (NASDAQ:CIEN), the network specialist, today announced that early termination of the antitrust waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act has been granted for Ciena’s planned acquisition of World Wide Packets.

This transaction remains subject to various closing conditions. Ciena continues to expect that this transaction will close during the second fiscal quarter of 2008.

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.

About World Wide Packets

World Wide Packets is a leading provider of Carrier Ethernet solutions that allow broadband service providers and telecommunications service providers to realize a new level of speed and agility in the deployment of revenue generating Ethernet services. With World Wide Packets' LightningEdge product family, providers can address the demand with their growing customer base by fully leveraging the power, flexibility and economies of Ethernet technology, while dramatically reducing the CapEx and OpEx of existing legacy networks. Only World Wide Packets offers the QoS, scalability, reliability and manageability necessary to making True Carrier Ethernet services such as IPTV, VoIP, mission critical data and wireless transport a reality. For more information on World Wide Packets, please visit www.wwp.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.