Integra™, a provider of fiber-based, carrier-grade networking, communications and technology solutions, has selected Ciena's converged packet-optical and packet networking solutions to support the expansion of Integra’s long-haul fiber optic network. With Ciena’s systems, Integra will offer up to 100 Gigabit (Gb) bandwidth and low latency capabilities to target enterprise and wholesale customers including healthcare facilities, financial institutions and content providers.

“Integra selects vendors that align with our long-term goals for network expansion and market growth. Ciena’s platforms are very well suited to our business strategy,” said Jason Koenders, senior vice president, engineering and network planning at Integra. “Leveraging Ciena’s 6500 packet-optical platform and packet networking portfolio helps us deliver best-in-class bandwidth while minimizing network latency, for customers who demand high-performance, future-proofed capabilities from their networks.”

Integra chose Ciena for its advanced technology capabilities, future product roadmap and commitment to operational efficiency. With the adoption of Ciena’s 6500 packet optical series for long-haul and metro network integration, Integra can extend the benefits of cost-effective and flexible network transport for a variety of applications including wireless backhaul, data center connectivity and cloud networking. Further, the technology will enable Integra to converge high-bandwidth services such as Carrier Ethernet within a single platform, making for an extremely robust and efficient solution for enterprise customers. Integra will also rely on the Ciena OneControl Unified Management system for centralized network management and seamless service deployment.

The selection of Ciena’s network solutions is one of many targeted investments Integra continues to make to build upon the company’s Ethernet services portfolio as well as its wholesale solutions. Integra’s Wavelength services, for instance, will offer up to 15 percent latency reduction while offering virtually unlimited bandwidth. As part of its initial roll-out, Integra will target large enterprises that require reliable, secure and data-intensive network services in key metropolitan markets including Seattle, Portland, Santa Clara, Phoenix and Las Vegas.

“Ciena’s solutions help Integra unlock the full potential of its network and accelerate the delivery of bandwidth-intensive and latency-sensitive applications and managed services that enterprise and wholesale customers increasingly look to Integra to deliver,” said Chad Whalen, vice president and general manager, North America field operations, Ciena. “We’re pleased to be a trusted vendor for Integra and to offer strategies and technologies that allow them to monetize their network assets to achieve cost-effective growth and provide a superior experience for business customers.”

Integra’s selection of Ciena follows a year of business transformation, product and network expansion for the company. In February, Integra unveiled a new brand identity, including a new logo, corporate tagline and targeted messaging reflecting how the company serves its markets today. This rebrand illustrates the significance of the company’s expanded customer reach, record number of new products and continued investments to Integra’s fiber and Ethernet network footprint. For more information and to view Integra’s new corporate brand, visit integratelecom.com.

About Integra
Integra™ is one of the largest facilities-based providers of communication and networking services in the western United States. We connect businesses of all sizes with advanced networking, communications and technology solutions in 35 metropolitan markets. Integra owns and operates an enterprise-class network consisting of a 5,000-mile long-haul fiber-optic network, 3,000–miles of metropolitan fiber and a nationwide IP/MPLS network. Our fiber network connects directly to more than 2,300 enterprise buildings and data centers. Through our expansive Ethernet-over-copper footprint, we can deliver high-bandwidth services to more than 400,000 businesses. At Integra, we understand our customers need reliable, secure and flexible solutions delivered with unmatched expertise and quality of service. For more information, visit www.integratelecom.com.

About Ciena
Ciena is the network specialist. We collaborate with customers worldwide to unlock the strategic potential of their networks and fundamentally change the way they perform and compete. Ciena leverages its deep expertise in packet and optical networking and distributed software automation to deliver solutions in alignment with OPⁿ, its approach for building open next-generation networks. We enable a high-scale, programmable infrastructure that can be controlled and adapted by network-level applications, and provide open interfaces to coordinate computing, storage and network resources in a unified, virtualized environment. We routinely post recent news, financial results and other important announcements and information about Ciena on our website. For more information, visit www.ciena.com.

Note to Ciena Investors
Forward-looking statements. 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-Q, which Ciena filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2013. 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.