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CIENA APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR EMEA REGION

New role is further proof of CIENA’s commitment to support European telecom operators

Ciena® Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN), a leading provider of global network solutions, today announced the appointment of Nick Jeffery to the position of Managing Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Jeffery joins Ciena from UK service provider Cable and Wireless, where he held the position of CEO for the company’s Global Markets and Service Providers division. In that role, he was responsible for constructing the division, and for developing and managing relationships with the company’s largest corporate customers.

Gary Smith, president and chief executive officer of Ciena, said: “We are pleased to announce the appointment of an industry veteran of the caliber of Nick Jeffery to head up our EMEA operations. European telecom operators have gone through a very challenging period with pressure to cut network expenditure. Ciena is well placed to help operators use their existing network infrastructure more efficiently and to create new opportunities in the substantial enterprise data services market.”

Jeffery’s appointment will further strengthen Ciena’s European team as it continues to target the region’s incumbent carriers. This appointment follows the Company’s recent announcement with BT to become a strategic partner for the delivery of the UK operator’s next-generation network. Jeffery will be responsible for maintaining the BT relationship, as well as spearheading Ciena’s efforts to target other major European telecom operators.

One of Jeffery’s first tasks will be the implementation of Ciena’s recently announced LightWorks™ Services initiative. This next phase of the Company’s ongoing network evolution strategy aims to provide solutions to carriers to improve their margins and offer new data services while building upon their existing network infrastructure.

Prior to joining Ciena, Jeffery spent 12 years at Cable and Wireless. He was responsible for the successful restructuring of Cable and Wireless’ Enterprise division and led the creation of the company’s India Centre of Excellence in Bangalore between 2001 and 2002.