Ciena Gets Tighter With Sonus

CHELMSFORD, Mass. -- Sonus Networks (Nasdaq: SONS), a leading supplier of service provider voice over IP (VoIP) infrastructure solutions, today announced that CIENAR Corporation (Nasdaq: CIEN), a member of Sonus' Open Services Partner Alliance (OSPA), has achieved "Powered" status for proven interoperability with Sonus products. Sonus recently completed successful interoperability testing of CIENA's CN 1000 Broadband Loop Carrier (BLC) Next-Generation Access Platform with Sonus' Insignus Softswitch, featuring the ASX Access Server.

The CN 1000 BLC is a high-density broadband access system that delivers integrated voice, data and video services. It provides broadband digital subscriber line (DSL) and VoIP capability on every line, enabling carriers to software-provision these services to any subscriber - remotely, without manual intervention. By integrating the functions of a next-generation DLC (NGDLC), a video-enabled digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), and a media gateway, the CN 1000 greatly simplifies the access network, while dramatically reducing capital and operational costs.

"Sonus is pleased to designate the CIENA CN 1000 BLC as one of our key Powered products," said Steve Edwards, chief marketing officer, Sonus Networks. "Having a solid BLC solution interoperable with Sonus products is critical in driving the deployment of advanced VoIP services in areas where broadband was previously limited. We very much look forward to building on what already is a successful partnership with CIENA."

The OSPA's mission is to help empower standards-based interoperability between applications, third-party vendors and Sonus products. Once an OSPA member demonstrates interoperability with a Sonus product, the partner becomes "Powered." Sonus and its "Powered" partners collaborate to deliver end-to-end packet-based network solutions using best-of-breed technologies and applications.

Ciena Corp.

Sonus Networks Inc.