CIENA to Strengthen Asian Presence With New Hong Kong Office, Appoints Claude Achcar Vice President, Asia.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 2000

CIENA Corporation, (NASDAQ: CIEN) today announced that it will open a new office in Hong Kong and that Claude Achcar has joined CIENA to direct the company's sales operations in Asian markets outside of Japan, where CIENA already has an established presence.

From the new Hong Kong office, Mr. Achcar will serve as CIENA's Vice President, Asia, managing new business initiatives and customer accounts, and increasing CIENA's global presence to keep pace with the growth and demand for its intelligent optical networking systems.

"CIENA is a significant player in the Japanese optical networking systems market and continues to build their presence in Korea. The addition of local staff in Hong Kong illustrates CIENA's continued commitment to Asia as an important market going forward," said Matt Walker, Regional Director, Asia-Pacific, at telecommunications market research firm RHK.

Mr. Achcar, who has worked in the telecommunications industry for more than 13 years, most recently served as Nortel Networks' Asia Pacific Group Director. For the past three years, Mr. Achcar focused on the development of optical, access and network management accounts for Nortel throughout the Asia Pacific region.

He brings to his new post with CIENA expertise in networking systems and a record of industry achievement.

"Expanding our presence in Asia with experienced professionals is instrumental in our ability to meet customers' expectations in this global industry," said Chris Simpson, CIENA's Senior Vice President of Global Sales. "Mr. Achcar's passion and enthusiasm, coupled with his strong technical background and sales experience, give him the ability to further CIENA's leadership position and success in the Asia Pacific region."

Mr. Achcar began his career with Nortel Networks in Canada, where he served as Optical Transport Network System Engineer for four years and was promoted to International Product Marketing Manager. From 1995 to 1999, he held several positions with Nortel in Asia, including positions in customer service and business development.

"I am excited to join CIENA, a dynamic, entrepreneurial company that provides leadership opportunities for both its employees and its customers," Mr. Achcar said. "I look forward to leading CIENA's sales efforts in Asia and providing the intelligent optical networking solutions to service providers that will give them a competitive advantage."

Mr. Achcar earned his bachelor of science in electrical engineering and his master of engineering in computers and communications, both from Ecole Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec. He has also received his master of business administration in marketing and international business from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec.

About CIENA

CIENA Corporation's market-leading optical networking systems form the core for the new era of networks and services worldwide. CIENA's LightWorks(TM) architecture enables next-generation optical services and changes the fundamental economics of service-provider networks by simplifying the network and reducing the cost to operate it. Additional information about CIENA can be found at http://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, CIENA's leadership position in Asia, and the ability of our intelligent optical networking solutions to give service providers a competitive advantage, 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 August 17, 2000.

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.