Ciena Announces Intent to Acquire World Wide Packets

Ciena Announces Intent to Acquire World Wide Packets


World Wide Packets is a leading supplier of solutions for enabling the cost-effective delivery of a wide variety of Carrier Ethernet-based services

Ciena Corporation, the network specialist, today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held World Wide Packets. Based in Spokane Valley, Wash., World Wide Packets is a leading supplier of solutions for enabling the cost-effective delivery of a wide variety of Carrier Ethernet-based services.

“As part of our strategy to leverage Ethernet as the vehicle for network convergence to optimize the cost and efficiency of network resources, the addition of World Wide Packets’ technology expands our ability to address the access and aggregation tiers of the network with simplified IP/Ethernet service architectures,” said Gary Smith, president and CEO of Ciena. “Bringing to our FlexSelect Architecture these flexible, highly-scalable Carrier Ethernet service delivery platforms further advances us in the high-growth business Ethernet services market and strengthens our position in the emerging wireless backhaul space.”

“Since the inception of the company, it has been the goal of World Wide Packets to define and provide the next-generation of Carrier Ethernet solutions, and today’s news is conclusive validation of our approach,” said Matthew Frey, president and COO of World Wide Packets. “Our expertise in True Carrier Ethernetä combined with the power and flexibility of Ciena’s FlexSelect Architecture provides customers with a compelling and cost-effective solution for delivering Carrier Ethernet-based services.”

World Wide Packets has shipped more than 70,000 units to 100+ customers in 25 countries. Customers include ntl:Telewest, KPN and several top-tier Multiple System Operators (MSOs) in North America. Deployments span a range of Carrier Ethernet business services and Carrier Ethernet transport services, which include wireless backhaul and wholesale applications.

Ciena also announced today it has been awarded a multi-year contract with AT&T to supply the global carrier with these platforms.