Ciena Expands Technical Certification Offerings with New Optical Communications Program

New courses from Ciena Learning Solutions provide vendor-neutral optical communications technology training and build on the group’s existing Carrier Ethernet program

LINTHICUM, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ciena^® Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN), the network specialist, today announced an Optical Communications Certification Program that is designed to provide students with knowledge of cutting-edge optical technology and career-building skills that are independent of specific vendors and products. The certification program is offered by Ciena Learning Solutions, the company’s group that focuses on the technology certification and continuing education market as well as product training. All courses are offered in a traditional hands-on classroom environment.

A year ago, Ciena launched its Carrier Ethernet Certification Program, the industry’s first technology-based certification around Carrier Ethernet. Since then, Ciena has certified professionals in Carrier Ethernet technology from more than 40 different companies, including some of the industry’s leading service providers, cable and mobile operators as well as government agencies. Further underscoring Ciena’s commitment to technology certification, the company will be offering multiple Carrier Ethernet test preparation training sessions for free to attendees at Light Reading’s Ethernet Expo Americas 2010 in New York City on November 2-3, 2010. With more than a quarter of the Expo’s attendees already registered for the training, the sessions will be based on Ciena’s Carrier Ethernet curriculum and attendees will have the option to take the certification exam at the event for a discounted rate of $125.

“As demand for faster communication and increased bandwidth rises, so does the need for high-capacity, optical communication networks and knowledgeable experts who know how to design, build and operate them,” said James Caprara, vice president, global HR development and learning at Ciena. “As evidenced by the number of organizations we trained in the past year and the demand for our sessions at Light Reading’s Ethernet Expo, there is clear market demand for vendor-neutral education and professional certification. We are pleased to expand our content offerings into optical communications as well as continuing to expand our training facility footprint into even more regions to meet customer needs.”

Led by Ciena’s optical networking experts, the Optical Communications Certification Program addresses the needs of entry-level and experienced professionals, and is available in four tiers, with each requiring completion of the previous course as a prerequisite:

• Optical Communications Associate (OC-A) – students will learn the fundamentals and conceptual theories behind optical communications as well as optical communications protocols, devices, networks and emerging technologies. The course is designed for entry-level network technicians, sales and marketing personnel, and anyone seeking higher levels of education.
• Optical Communications Professional (OC-P) – students will gain a practical understanding of optical networks and devices and how devices are deployed in optical networks. This course is designed for technicians and engineers responsible for installing, configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting optical devices and networks.
• Optical Communications Consultant (OC-C) – using case studies, students analyze customer requirements to determine which devices, topology and features best meet the requirements. This course is designed for intermediate-level engineers seeking an understanding of optical network planning, sales and implementation.
• Optical Communications Expert (OC-E) – leveraging case studies, students will design and formally propose architectural solutions for optical network applications. This course is designed for an expert level engineer seeking an understanding of optical communications network architecture.

As with the Carrier Ethernet Certification Program, the new optical courses are currently available from 12 colleges throughout the U.S. and Europe with launches to 70 additional colleges in the planning stages, as well as an expanded footprint into regions such as Asia and the Middle East.

Space is limited for the complimentary Carrier Ethernet test preparation session at Light Reading’s Ethernet Expo, so registration is required. For more details on the curriculum content for each level of the Optical Communications Certification Program or to register for sessions, please visit: http://www.ciena.com/support/optical_communications_certifications.htm.

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. With focused innovation, Ciena brings together the reliability and capacity of optical networking with the flexibility and economics of Ethernet, unified by a software suite that delivers the industry’s leading network automation. 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 September 8, 2010. 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.

CONTACT:

Ciena Corporation
Press Contact:
Nicole Anderson, 877-857–7377
pr@ciena.com
or
Investor Contact:
Gregg Lampf, 888-243–6223
ir@ciena.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Maryland  New York

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Education  Technology  Hardware  Networks  Software  Telecommunications  Training

MEDIA:

Logo