Ciena's CN 4200 FlexSelect Platform Selected by Slovenia's T-2 for New Nationwide Next-Generation VDSL Network.

LINTHICUM, Md. -- Eastern European Service Provider Deploys Ciena Metro Optical Solution in Network Offering Residential and Business Customers IPTV, VoIP and High-Speed Data Speeds up to 100 Mbps

Ciena(R) Corporation (Nasdaq:CIEN), the network specialist, today announced that Slovenian service provider T-2 d.o.o. has selected the CN 4200(TM) FlexSelect(TM) Advanced Services Platform to provide multiservice aggregation and transport of telephone, Internet and television services delivered via Very High Data Rate DSL (VDSL) to customers across Slovenia. Based on its network requirements for economical carrier-grade reliability and flexibility to scale the network while adding new services, T-2 recognized Ciena's advanced services platform as the superior solution for its next-generation network infrastructure.

Ciena's CN 4200, the flagship product of its FlexSelect Architecture, is the first multiservice transport and service aggregation platform to enable flexible, service-selectable migration to packet for networks transitioning from TDM, or for new networks like T-2, using future-ready technology such as ITU G.709, software-defined service ports, remote service provisioning and management capabilities. T-2 is deploying the CN 4200 in its network to cost-effectively expand the reach and capacity of its VDSL services.

"As an alternative carrier, we aim to offer fast, easy and affordable access to VDSL broadband services to both our business and residential customers. When rolling out our network, we have consistently looked for the most reliable and future-proof technology to accommodate our growing customer base," said Matevz Turk, managing director of T-2. "Ciena stood out as providing the best all-around solution, meeting our requirements for reliability, scalability, performance and next-generation capabilities to deliver future services as needed."

VDSL enables very high speed customer downloads up to 100 Mbps, enough to support voice, video and Internet requirements at a reasonable cost. The ability of Ciena's CN 4200 platform to support high-bandwidth services has already enabled T-2 to sign thousands of new customers, while ensuring the flexible, on-demand capacity for additional growth. Currently, T-2 is the only provider of VDSL technology in Slovenia that offers download speeds up to 50 Mbps with bursting up to 100 Mbps, and upload speeds of 20 Mbps with bursting up to 50 Mbps.

"Ciena is pleased to provide the foundation for the VDSL infrastructure at T-2, one of many customers using Ciena solutions to deliver next-generation services," said Francois Locoh-Donou, vice president, international sales at Ciena. "Ciena's expertise in delivering application-focused solutions in high-growth areas such as broadband services and carrier-class Ethernet, in addition to our core networking market leadership, is helping service providers such as T-2 add more flexibility to their networks, quickly adapt to changing service requirements and reduce service provisioning cycles."

Smart Com, a provider of integrated communications and IT management services headquartered in Slovenia, has worked closely with Ciena to deploy the CN 4200 in T-2's next-generation network. Smart Com is a certified reseller of Ciena solutions, offering system implementation and high-quality engineering services.

Locoh-Donou continued, "Our partnership with Smart Com exemplifies how Ciena's network specialist approach adheres to customer processes and leverages market knowledge of local channel partners to enable an emerging company like T-2 to enter a high-potential market, offer great services and generate revenue."

About Ciena's FlexSelect Architecture

FlexSelect is the only migration approach available today that blends the flexibility of software with high-performance programmable hardware for the delivery of any end-user service to any point on the network at any time. This mitigates the risks associated with convergence while maximizing all service opportunities and reducing costs. FlexSelect has been shown to reduce the overall total cost of ownership by more than 60 percent in actual service provider network analyses, while continuing to support the addition of new service types.

ABOUT CIENA

Ciena Corporation is the network specialist, focused on expanding the possibilities for its customers' networks while reducing their cost of ownership. The company's systems, software and services target and cure specific network pain points so that telcos, cable operators, governments and enterprises can best exploit the new applications that are driving their businesses forward. For more information, visit www.ciena.com.

ABOUT SMART COM

Smart Com is an independent system integrator drawing on many years of experience, as well as the knowledge and innovativeness of its employees, in order to provide value added solutions. These resources allow Smart Com to satisfy customer needs in the most timely and optimal fashion.

As the expert in data and converged networks Smart Com offers solutions- and project implementation as well as highest quality engineering services in terms of consulting, planning, engineering, training and maintenance. Technical fields are represented by the following system groups and services: legacy data networks and NGN networks, local area networks, telecommunications security systems, IP telephony solutions, intelligent process control, and operational support systems (OSS) services of a system's life cycle.

Smart Com's website can be found on the Internet at www.smart-com.si.

ABOUT T-2

T-2 d.o.o. was founded in 2004 in Maribor, Slovenia, as an internet service provider by Zvon Ena Holding d.d. T-2 is the first company in Slovenia to offer the new broadband technology VDSL (very high speed digital subscriber line) which enables speeds of up to 50 Mbps/20 Mbps (shortly to be upgraded to 100 Mbps/50 Mbps) and does not require an existing analogue PSTN line, an ISDN or ADSL line for access. T-2's offer includes fixed phone line services and digital television with 120 channels. The company has around 120 switches across Slovenia. T-2 is firmly committed to delivering services which offer the largest internet connectivity bandwidths with the highest stability and availability, and at the lowest prices in Slovenia.

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 January 12, 2006. 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.