e& UAE First in Middle East & Africa to Deploy Ciena’s WaveLogic 6

Rhea-AI Summary

e& UAE has become the first operator in the Middle East and Africa to deploy Ciena's WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) on its optical network. The implementation enables ultra-high speed 400G client infrastructure connectivity, supporting 10 Gb home services and wholesale/business customer traffic with 100G and 400G requirements.

The technology, powered by 3 nanometer silicon technology, doubles data transmission capacity to 1.6 Tb/s per wavelength within the existing network footprint. This advancement enhances the delivery of premium customer experiences over e&'s 5G network and optimizes the optical network infrastructure to support AI data center hubs.

Positive

• First-mover advantage in Middle East & Africa region
• Doubles data transmission capacity to 1.6 Tb/s
• Enables higher-speed connectivity (400G) without infrastructure changes
• Positions for AI and 5G market growth

Negative

• None.

Insights

Telecommunications Expert

Ciena's deployment of WaveLogic 6 Extreme with e& UAE represents a landmark advancement in optical networking for the Middle East and Africa region. This implementation doubles data transmission capacity to 1.6 Tb/s per wavelength while utilizing the existing network footprint - a critical efficiency factor in today's capital-constrained telecom environment.

The deployment provides e& UAE with significant competitive advantages. By implementing this 3nm silicon technology, the operator gains substantial capacity headroom for handling the exponential bandwidth growth driven by AI applications. AI workloads require not just massive bandwidth but also low-latency, high-reliability connections between data centers - precisely what this technology enables.

For Ciena, this high-profile reference deployment strengthens its position against optical networking competitors like Nokia, Infinera, and Huawei in the rapidly developing Middle East market. The power efficiency highlighted in the announcement addresses two critical operator concerns: rising energy costs and sustainability commitments.

The timing is particularly strategic as the region experiences accelerated digital transformation. Government policies supporting digital infrastructure development, combined with growing demand for cloud services and 5G, create a favorable environment for advanced optical networking solutions.

This deployment positions both companies at the forefront of the industry's transition to terabit-scale wavelengths - a technological leap necessary to support the next generation of digital services and AI applications without requiring costly network overbuilds.

Investment Analyst

Ciena's successful deployment of WaveLogic 6 Extreme with e& UAE represents a strategic win that validates the company's technology leadership in the optical networking market. This implementation is particularly noteworthy as it's the first deployment of this technology in the Middle East and Africa region, establishing Ciena as the vendor of choice for cutting-edge optical solutions in this growth market.

The timing of this deployment is significant from an investment perspective. WaveLogic 6 is Ciena's newest generation technology, and early adoption by a major operator like e& UAE indicates strong market acceptance. This positions Ciena favorably against competitors like Nokia, Infinera, and Huawei in the region's expanding digital infrastructure market.

The explicit mention of AI data center connectivity in the announcement aligns with one of the strongest secular growth trends in technology infrastructure. As AI workloads drive massive bandwidth requirements between data centers, optical networking becomes a critical enabler. Ciena's 1.6 Tb/s per wavelength capacity provides the foundation needed for these data-intensive applications while optimizing capital expenditure by utilizing existing fiber infrastructure.

The power efficiency highlighted in the deployment addresses a growing concern for network operators facing escalating energy costs. This advantage becomes increasingly valuable as sustainability metrics factor into technology purchasing decisions.

For investors, this deployment signals Ciena's ability to monetize its R&D investments in advanced optical technology and capture high-value opportunities in emerging markets. While a single deployment doesn't materially impact near-term financials, it establishes Ciena's technology leadership in a region poised for significant digital infrastructure investment, potentially leading to follow-on business as other regional operators upgrade their networks.

Leading operator revolutionizes its network with ultra-high speed 1.6 Tb/s per wavelength connectivity

ABU DHABI, UAE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- e& UAE, the telecom arm of e&, marked a Middle East and Africa regional first, deploying Ciena’s (NYSE: CIEN) WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) on its optical network. This advanced technology boosts the network with ultra-high speed 400G client infrastructure connectivity, supporting 10 Gb home services and wholesale and domestic business customer traffic with 100G and 400G requirements. It also elevates the delivery of premium customer experiences over e&'s 5G network and optimizes the optical network infrastructure to strategically support the traffic sensitivity of artificial intelligence (AI) data center hubs.

By leveraging WL6e, which is powered by cutting-edge 3 (nm) nanometer silicon technology, e& UAE is doubling the data transmission capacity per wavelength to up to 1.6 Tb/s, all within its existing network footprint. e& has successfully deployed 1.6 Tb/s per wavelength, confirming its enhanced optical network capabilities.

“Deploying 1.6T line technology is considered as a natural progression of our network transformation to ensure seamless connectivity for the broad spectrum of e& UAE’s digital services offered today and for futuristic AI-based services. With Ciena’s leading innovation and power-efficient approach, we will be able to scale sustainably and play an important role in driving digital transformation and prepare the network for the future needs of AI data center hubs,” said Abdulrahman Al Humaidan, Senior Vice President, Access Network Department, e& UAE.

“The Middle East and Africa region is on the verge of a digital evolution, thanks to favorable government policies, demand for cloud services, 5G, and more. WL6e helps put e& UAE in the driver seat by bringing high-speed connectivity to its customers and creating the infrastructure needed for a digital future,” said Pete Hall, Head of Middle East and Africa, Ciena.

About e& UAE

e& UAE is the flagship telecom arm of e& in the UAE, built on a 5-decades legacy of connectivity excellence. Our mission is to deliver ground-breaking superior connectivity experiences that fuel the UAE’s future-focused innovation. Leveraging the latest world-class technologies, e& UAE aims to transform lives and industries, turning every connection into an opportunity for growth and every interaction into a transformative possibility. We are focused on expanding our core services and digital marketplaces by enriching consumer value propositions that cater to new lifestyles and emerging demands beyond core telecom services, including health, insurance and gaming. As a trusted enterprise partner, e& UAE continues to power entire industries with 5G and AI, delivering tailored a ecosystem of solutions to meet their connectivity needs and more, empowering them to automate, innovate, transform, and scale. Strengthening our leadership position as an AI-powered telco, e& UAE delivers seamless connectivity, cutting-edge AI solutions, and sustainable innovation to uplift people and communities, and empower businesses and industries, so everyone thrives in a digital-first world. To learn more about e& UAE, please visit: https://www.etisalat.ae.

About Ciena

Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a global leader in networking systems, services, and software. We build the most adaptive networks in the industry, enabling customers to anticipate and meet ever-increasing digital demands. For three-plus decades, Ciena has brought our humanity to our relentless pursuit of innovation. Prioritizing collaborative relationships with our customers, partners, and communities, we create flexible, open, and sustainable networks that better serve all users—today and into the future. For updates on Ciena, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, 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/20250227842426/en/

Press Contact:

Chua Wei Wei

Ciena Corporation

+65 9833 2654

pr@ciena.com

Investor Contact:

Gregg Lampf

Ciena Corporation

+1 (410) 694-5700

ir@ciena.com

Source: Ciena Corporation

FAQ

What is the significance of e& UAE's deployment of Ciena's WaveLogic 6 (CIEN)?

It's the first deployment in Middle East & Africa, enabling 1.6 Tb/s per wavelength capacity and supporting advanced 400G connectivity for enhanced 5G and AI services.

What transmission capacity improvement does Ciena's WaveLogic 6 (CIEN) provide to e& UAE?

It doubles data transmission capacity to 1.6 Tb/s per wavelength within the existing network footprint.

What customer services will benefit from e& UAE's new Ciena (CIEN) deployment?

The deployment supports 10 Gb home services, wholesale and business customer traffic with 100G and 400G requirements, and AI data center connectivity.

How does Ciena's WaveLogic 6 (CIEN) technology support e& UAE's AI initiatives?

The technology optimizes optical network infrastructure to strategically support traffic sensitivity of AI data center hubs with enhanced connectivity.