Vendors eye potential acquisition of Ciena

Just as it nears the completion of its acquisition of Nortel's Metro Ethernet Network (MEN) division, rumors have emerged that a number of companies may be interested in purchasing Ciena.

The idea of another vendor buying Ciena does not appear to be out of the question, however. Eve Griliches, a managing partner with ACG Research, was quoted in a LightReading article as saying today that other vendors could be crafting a deal for the Linthicum, Md.-based company.

"Other companies are looking at the combined companies before they even combine," she tells LightReading.

One company, however, that says it won't be in the running for Ciena is Nokia Siemens Networks. An unnamed source in a Reuters article [1] said that such a deal is not going to happen.

While neither Ciena nor Nokia would comment on a potential marriage, Wall Street apparently liked the rumor and it sent Ciena's shares up 5.6 percent to $11.63.

The contested rumors of NSN making a run at Ciena comes after the company lost out to Ciena in a bid for Nortel's Metro Ethernet Network (MEN) and related optical product portfolio. After making one last ditch attempt [2] to purchase the unit with an updated bid, Ciena won.

For more:
- Reuters has this article [1]
- LightReading also has this article [3]

Related articles
Ciena becomes victor in fight for Nortel's MEN [4]
NSN takes another pass at Nortel's MEN [5]
No done deal yet in Nortel's optical sale [6]
NSN may be moving on Nortel's Ethernet unit [7]
Ciena crafts deal for Nortel's Ethernet assets [8]
Nortel's MEN leader Morin plans to stay with Ciena [9]