Ciena Expands Edge and 5G Capabilities with Acquisition of Vyatta Routing and Switching Technology from AT&T

Rhea-AI Summary

Ciena has announced its definitive agreement to acquire AT&T's Vyatta virtual routing and switching technology. This acquisition is aimed at bolstering Ciena's Routing and Switching roadmap, particularly for 5G networks and cloud environments. The deal includes integrating Vyatta's engineering team into Ciena's R&D organization. Financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed. Ciena anticipates the acquisition will close by year-end and will enhance its Adaptive IP solution set, thereby accelerating the deployment of virtualized networks and new features.

Positive

• Expansion of Ciena's Routing and Switching capabilities to support 5G networks.
• Integration of Vyatta's engineering talent into Ciena's R&D, enhancing innovation.
• Anticipated acceleration in deployment of virtualized networks and new features.

Negative

• None.

HANOVER, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ciena^® Corporation (NYSE: CIEN) has entered into a definitive agreement with AT&T to acquire its Vyatta virtual routing and switching technology.

The acquisition reflects Ciena’s continued investment in its Routing and Switching roadmap to address the growing market opportunity to transform the edge, including 5G networks and cloud environments. Specifically, these key technologies and expertise will serve to expand and accelerate Ciena’s Adaptive IP solution set. In addition, Ciena has agreed to support the Vyatta routing platform in AT&T’s wireless network across multiple 5G use cases, enterprise business services and virtual networks with cloud scalability. Ciena plans to integrate the team of engineering specialists into its Routing and Switching research and development (R&D) organization.

“The addition of the Vyatta talent and assets to our Routing and Switching business will extend Ciena’s success in helping customers create virtualized networks and deploy new features faster and cost effectively across 5G, enterprise and cloud use cases,” said Scott McFeely, Senior Vice President, Global Products and Services at Ciena.

“This agreement is a sign of the maturity of the ecosystem and encompasses years of innovation, collaboration and expertise,” said Andre Fuetsch, Chief Technology Officer of Network Services at AT&T. “Our acquisition of the Vyatta assets in 2017 helped us virtualize 75% of our network and led to the development of the first telco grade open-source network operating system. We’re looking forward to the continued use of Vyatta and the development of new use cases as a result of this transaction.”

The acquisition of the Vyatta talent and certain intellectual property is expected to close by the end of the calendar year. Financial terms were not disclosed.

About Ciena

Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a networking systems, services and software company. We provide solutions that help our customers create the Adaptive Network^TM in response to the constantly changing demands of their end-users. By delivering best-in-class networking technology through high-touch consultative relationships, we build the world’s most agile networks with automation, openness and scale. For updates on Ciena, follow us on Twitter @Ciena, LinkedIn, the Ciena Insights blog, or visit www.ciena.com.

Note to Ciena Investors

You are encouraged to review the Investors section of our website, where we routinely post press releases, SEC filings, recent news, financial results, and other announcements. From time to time we exclusively post material information to this website along with other disclosure channels that we use. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, forecasts, information and assumptions. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those stated or implied, because of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in our most recent annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies and can be identified by 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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210902005386/en/

Press: Jamie Moody

Ciena Corporation

(877) 857–7377

pr@ciena.com

Investors: Gregg Lampf

Ciena Corporation

(877) 243–6273

ir@ciena.com

Source: Ciena Corporation

FAQ

What is the significance of Ciena's acquisition of Vyatta?

Ciena's acquisition of Vyatta is significant as it strengthens its capabilities in Routing and Switching, specifically for 5G networks and cloud environments.

When is the acquisition of Vyatta by Ciena expected to close?

The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the calendar year.

What technologies will Ciena gain from the Vyatta acquisition?

Ciena will gain Vyatta's virtual routing and switching technology, which will enhance its Adaptive IP solution set.

How will the Vyatta acquisition benefit Ciena's clients?

The acquisition will allow Ciena to support the Vyatta routing platform in AT&T’s wireless network, benefiting clients with enhanced 5G services and cloud scalability.

What are the financial terms of the Ciena and Vyatta acquisition?

The financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.