COO Smith gives bullish forecast
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SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Speaking at the Banc of America Technology Week
Conference, Ciena President and COO Gary Smith spoke about a fundamental shift away
from the older boys networks to more simple, smaller, optical networks.
"Drivers for change are absolutely there, particularly paired with the economic environment,
and now the products are there, too," Smith said.
As far as the global optical network goes, Smith says the bubble has not burst. He sees
growth of 70 percent for the next generation of optical products during the next three to four
years. The demand for traditional products, however, is "absolutely slowing down."
Earlier in the day, telecommunications provider McLeodUSA (MCLD: news, msgs) selected
Ciena's multiwave coredirector as its intelligent optical core switch.
Said Smith about the deal, "It is another example of Sienna taking business away from other
major players."
Linthicum, Md.-based Ciena (CIEN: news, msgs) saw its shares falling $1.81 to $80.78
Wednesday morning. |
