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TELEMONDE AWARDS CIENA MAJOR THREE-YEAR EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT

First Carrier To Deploy CIENA's 96-Channel MultiWave® Platform; Forecasts $200 Million Roll-Out of CIENA Systems Products

Ciena Corporation (Nasdaq: CIEN) today announced that it has received a three-year exclusive contract from Telemonde Limited, the London-based carrier's carrier, for its dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) products. Telemonde will be the first carrier to deploy Ciena's 96-channel MultiWave platform in its new TITAN pan-European network and forecasts a $200 million roll-out of Ciena equipment over the contract period. Ciena also announced that Telemonde has issued the first order under the new contract for approximately $20 million of Ciena MultiWave equipment and installation services.

"Using Ciena's 96-channel technology, TITAN becomes the lowest-cost terabit-level network in Europe," said Ray Dutton, chairman of Telemonde. "Our customers will benefit through a range of innovative bandwidth packages, including the sale of entire optical channels." Telemonde's planned 19-city network will take live customer traffic in April 1999.

Dutton added: "Not only was technological excellence a decisive factor in awarding Ciena this contract, but also the company's ability to deliver to tight deadlines."

"This is a huge win for Ciena and validates their strong position in Europe especially with the new alternative carriers," stated Virginia Brooks, vice president of networking and telecommunications at the Aberdeen Group. "Telemonde's decision to deploy Ciena's open system will enable them to offer both ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) and IP (Internet Protocol) services rapidly and economically."

"Carriers need highly scalable networks to keep ahead of data and Internet growth," said Patrick Nettles, chief executive officer and president at Ciena Corporation. "Ciena's MultiWave products provide carriers with the solutions needed today to provide that scalability while cutting equipment and operating costs by simplifying their networks." Nettles added, "We're pleased to be aligned with the vision and entrepreneurial spirit of Telemonde, and are excited by their plans. We look forward to helping them bring those plans to fruition."

TITAN's Open Optical Link service harnesses the flexibility of Ciena's DWDM technology to offer customers the optically provisioned equivalent of dark fiber. It is one of a number of innovative services offered by Telemonde to establish new levels of service choice and flexibility in the carrier's carrier market.