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CIENA Corporation has won a contract to supply Cable & Wireless Communications, the UK's first integrated telecoms and multi-media service provider, with its technology to expand the bandwidth capacity of part of Cable & Wireless Communications' fiber optic network.
The deployment of CIENA's new MultiWave Sentry will allow Cable & Wireless Communications to multiply by 16 times its fiber optic network capacity, reducing the expense of laying new cable. Cable & Wireless Communications will implement the CIENA technology to form a high capacity terrestrial backhaul link for the new transatlantic cable system, GEMINI. Gemini is a joint venture between Cable & Wireless Communications and MFS which itself was recently acquired by WorldCom, Inc.
The CIENA MultiWave Sentry is a dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) transport system which utilizes a composite optical signal to carry multiple information streams, each transmitted on a distinct optical wavelength. This means that approximately 500,000 simultaneous voice or internet connections can be carried over a single fiber. CIENA is the world's leading commercial supplier of such technology.
"In building high capacity backhaul for this new international cable scheme, the CIENA solution allows us to effectively meet the requirements of our customer," said David Wickham, managing director, International and Partner Services at Cable & Wireless Communications.
"Deregulation of the EU's telecommunications market in January, 1998, is certain to place further strain on European networks, already challenged by capacity pressures," said Roger Bates, managing director of CIENA UK. "As competition delivers more applications and services, CIENA's proven experience of alleviating strained bandwidth in similar networks in the US and Japan will allow Cable & Wireless Communications to deliver services quickly and without the need for extensive capital investment."
In a separate development, CIENA has signed an agreement with BICC Group, one of the world's leading communication infrastructure suppliers, to provide installation and support services, in connection with the Cable & Wireless Communications deployment. CIENA and BICC may work together to deploy CIENA MultiWave systems in additional international markets as the need arises.
Notes to Editors
Cable & Wireless Communications is the newly formed communications company comprising Bell Cablemedia, Mercury Communications, NYNEX and Videotron. Cable & Wireless Communications is the UK operating arm of Cable & Wireless plc.
Cable & Wireless is one of the world's leading providers of international telecommunications services. Its businesses provide over 10 million customers in over 50 countries with a complete range of international, domestic and mobile communications. Cable & Wireless is the world's third largest carrier of international traffic, provides mobile communications in 30 countries and operates the world's largest, most advanced cableship fleet.
Gemini is a joint venture between Cable & Wireless and WorldCom Inc. It is building and will operate a new class of intercontinental fiber optic cable system between major cities in the US and UK. The 20 gigabit system, comprised of multiple SDH loops, will provide capacity between New York and London.
CIENA Corporation is a worldwide market leader in the field deployment of open architecture DWDM systems for long distance telecommunications carriers. CIENA's family of DWDM solutions include the MultiWave 1600, WaveWatcher, MultiWave Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer and the new MultiWave Sentry. These systems enable carriers to exploit fiber bandwidth, improve network reliability and enhance the ability of network operators to offer new broadband services. CIENA is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol "CIEN." Additional information on the Company can be found on its World Wide Web site: http//www.CIENA.com.
NOTE: Forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements, due to risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's dependence on its major customers, the recent introduction of its products, and the overall management of its expansion. The forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of these and other risk factors disclosed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Denny Bilter
CIENA Corporation
(410 865 8500)
or
Glenn Jasper
Hill & Knowlton
(212 885 0486) |
