Ciena’s 40G solution supports new international link and surging capacity demands for high-bandwidth applications

Ciena® Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN), the network specialist, today announced that it has been selected by Metrored, a leading provider of telecommunications services in Latin America, to support a new international long-haul link between Mexico and the United States.  Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform equipped with WaveLogic Coherent Optical Processors will provide Metrored with four times the existing network capacity today, with seamless evolution to 10 times the capacity with 100G when needed. This additional capacity will allow Metrored to support the delivery of high-bandwidth applications like high-speed Internet, IPTV, HD programming and mobile video phones.

Key Facts:

  • Metrored owns and manages one of the largest networks in Mexico, offering integrated communication services to enterprises, carriers, Internet service providers, and data center operators. Metrored also maintains interconnection agreements between Mexico and the United States.
  • Metrored’s new long-haul Mexico-US link will leverage Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform equipped with WaveLogic Coherent Optical Processors to support growing capacity demands for data traffic between the two countries while laying the foundation for 100G scalability.
  • The network will allow Metrored to offer Ethernet-based Virtual Private LAN services as well as multicast / broadcast video distribution applications using integrated packet switching capabilities of the 6500 over a high capacity backbone network to multiple locations in the US. Metrored also offers a burstable Internet dedicated access solution for carriers, governments, ISPs or companies with flexible bandwidth requirements.
  • Ciena is providing Metrored with an optimized solution that leverages Ciena’s OPn framework principles.  OPn leverages Ciena’s extensive heritage and focused expertise in packet and optical networking to create a programmable infrastructure with exponential scale on which applications run to deliver a high-value and superior user experience.
  • Ciena is also providing Metrored implementation services via its Ciena Specialist Services portfolio to ensure the network is deployed and commissioned accurately and on time.
  • Metrored has been a Ciena customer for many years and has incorporated a variety of Ciena solutions into its network including the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform, as well as the 6110, 6130 and 6150 Multiservice Optical Platforms.

Executive Comments:

  • “When looking for a solution to maximize and optimize the traffic that moves over our network between Mexico and the US, we knew it was time to take a serious look at 40G, particularly taking into the account the increase in use of high-bandwidth consumer service applications such as VoD at both ends of the connection. We chose Ciena’s packet-optical solution because it not only dramatically increases our maximum traffic over this link, but the same infrastructure will be able to double its capacity again or even move to 100G in the future.”-          Roberto Pioquinto, technological development and special projects director, Metrored
  • “As the owner and manager of one of the largest nationwide optical fiber networks in Mexico, it’s important for Metrored to anticipate and meet customer demand, supporting the increased use of high-bandwidth applications while preparing for future growth across all sectors.  Ciena’s industry-leading coherent technology will help support Metrored’s growing footprint.  This expansion of our successful relationship will help Metrored diversify and differentiate their solutions from the competition.”
    -          Fabio Medina, vice president and general manager, Central and Latin America, Ciena

Technology Leadership:

  • Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform converges Ethernet, TDM and WDM capabilities in a single solution for cost-effective delivery of emerging and existing services, from the access edge to the backbone core.
  • Boasting years of coherent deployment experience, Ciena’s 40G/100G solutions equipped with WaveLogic coherent optical processors scale the capacity and reach of existing networks with operational simplicity. 6500 systems also feature electronic dispersion compensation and comprehensive ROADM functionality, which combine with intelligent automation and OTN/packet switching to maximize both the bandwidth efficiency and flexibility of the overall network.
  • Ciena is the pioneer and market leader of coherent optical technology with 20,000 coherent 40G/100G line interfaces shipped to over 100 customers across the globe, with more than 20 million coherent kilometers deployed.

Ciena Supporting Resources:

About MetroredWith more than 15 years of experience and steady growth, Metrored is a Mexican based telecommunications provider servicing both international and domestic markets. Metrored connects 26 states and 40 key cities using our 21,000 miles of coverage, one of the most important fiber optic networks in Mexico. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide outstanding customer service, and our commitment to understanding each carrier´s needs and adapting to their requirements. Step by step, Metrored has penetrated the market, expanding its products portfolio and its national and international coverage, becoming a true competitor. In November 2007, was acquired by Cablecom, increasing its strategic and commercial alliances. Metrored is an innovative telecommunication company that provides national and international integrated solutions as Connectivity, Internet, Telephony, Unified Communications (UC) and Managed Services. For more information, visit http://www.metrored.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-K, which Ciena filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 21, 2012. 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.