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Ciena

cien · NYSE Technology
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Ticker cien
Exchange NYSE
Sector Technology
Industry Communication Equipment
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2009 Annual Report · Ciena
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2009 Annual Report

Fellow Stockholders,
Our fi scal year 2009 closes a decade of progress and transformation for Ciena.

In a year that began with global economic uncertainty 
and market volatility, we continued to operate from a 
position of fi nancial strength, managing the business 
to balance operating performance with a disciplined 
approach to strategic investment. To that end, I’m 
pleased to report Ciena performed well in fi scal 2009, as 
we took strategic steps to enhance our product portfolio 
and increase market share, while at the same time 
successfully achieving key fi nancial milestones.

With respect to our portfolio, in a somewhat contrarian 
approach to a tough economy, Ciena actually increased 
investment in research and development in fi scal 2009 
in order to ensure the strength of our market position 
as the industry environment improves over the longer 
term. We delivered a signifi cant enhancement to our 
leading optical switching platform in CoreDirector FS. 
We launched a game-changing integrated transport 
and switching platform with our 5400 Family. And, we 
implemented the industry’s fi rst 100G network for NYSE 
Euronext. These developments underscore Ciena’s 
commitment to large-scale investment in bringing to 
market products that build service-enabling network 
infrastructures and provide a seamless transition to high-
capacity converged Ethernet and OTN networks.

In terms of fi nancial milestones, Ciena remained 
committed to maintaining a solid operating model in 

the face of challenging market conditions. As the year 
began with a slowdown in customer spending, we set the 
goal of maintaining positive cash fl ow from operations 
for fi scal 2009, and we did just that. We reduced as-
adjusted operating expenses and maintained healthy 
gross margin while preserving strength in our portfolio, 
notably in the Carrier Ethernet Service Delivery segment. 
We also continued to expand our global footprint, with 
international revenue representing roughly one-third of 
total revenue for the fi scal year. 

Our boldest achievement in fi scal 2009, however, 
occurred in October when we were selected as the 
stalking horse bidder to acquire the optical networking 
and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s Metro Ethernet 
Networks (MEN) business. We were the successful bidder 
for those assets at auction, and expect the transaction 
to close during the fi rst calendar quarter of 2010. With 
the goal of accelerating our strategy and the pace of 
our growth, this transformational acquisition brings 
together complementary technologies and resources, 
and signifi cantly strengthens Ciena’s position to benefi t 
from the industry’s next cycle of substantial infrastructure 
upgrades. The shared heritage of innovation and 
depth of expertise between Ciena and Nortel MEN 
ensures a combination that will boast an impressive 
product portfolio with a focus on serving as a strategic, 
consultative partner to our customers. 

I want to thank you, our stockholders, for your continued 
support. And, I want to thank our customers and 
partners for your trust and the opportunity to provide 
you solutions that enable true next-generation network 
models. I would also like to express my gratitude to 
the entire Ciena team for a level of dedication and 
focus that is surpassed by none. With strength in the 
fundamental demand drivers of our target markets, we 
enter this fi scal year well positioned to capture additional 
market share with a product portfolio and vision to 
de-cost networks, enable rapid design of new services, 
and deliver a superior end-user experience. And, the 
addition of the Nortel MEN assets further accelerates our 
progress toward that goal. We look forward with a view of 
emerging from this recent challenging period positioned 
to drive future growth and stockholder value. 

Gary B. Smith
President and Chief Executive Offi cer

 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)
¥

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009

OR

n

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from

to

Commission file number 0-21969

Ciena Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)

1201 Winterson Road, Linthicum, MD
(Address of principal executive offices)

23-2725311
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

21090-2205
(Zip Code)

(410) 865-8500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

The NASDAQ Stock Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¥
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes n
No ¥
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange

No n

Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ¥

No n
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.4-5 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes n

No n

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be

contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. n

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting

company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¥

Smaller reporting company n

Accelerated filer n

Non-accelerated filer n
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes n
The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $929.3 million

No ¥

based on the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on May 2, 2009.

The number of shares of Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of December 11, 2009 was 92,038,629.

Part III of the Form 10-K incorporates by reference certain portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2010 Annual

Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

CIENA CORPORATION

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 2.
Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 3.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 4.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 6.
Selected Consolidated Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . .
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 8.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . .
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9B. Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 11. Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Item 12.
Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 14.

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Index to Exhibits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART IV

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PART I

The information in this annual report contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements
related to our business prospects, the markets for our products and services, and trends in our business that
involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in these
forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in “Risk
Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,”
“Business” and elsewhere in this annual report.

Item 1. Business

Overview

We are a provider of communications networking equipment, software and services that support the
transport, switching, aggregation and management of voice, video and data traffic. Our optical service delivery
and carrier Ethernet service delivery products are used individually, or as part of an integrated solution, in
communications networks operated by service providers, cable operators, governments and enterprises around
the globe.

We are a network specialist targeting the transition of disparate, legacy communications networks to
converged, next-generation architectures, better able to handle increased traffic and deliver more efficiently a
broader mix of high-bandwidth communications services. Our products, with their embedded, network element
software and our unified service and transport management, enable service providers to efficiently and cost-
effectively deliver critical enterprise and consumer-oriented communication services. Together with our
professional support and consulting services, our product offerings seek to offer solutions that address the
business challenges and network needs of our customers. Our customers face an increasingly challenging and
rapidly changing environment that requires them to quickly adapt their business strategies and deliver new,
revenue-creating services. By improving network productivity, reducing operating costs and providing the
flexibility to enable new and integrated service offerings, our offerings create business and operational value
for our customers.

Pending Acquisition of Optical and Carrier Ethernet Assets of Nortel Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN)
Business

Following our emergence as the winning bidder in the bankruptcy auction, we agreed to acquire
substantially all of the optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s Metro Ethernet Networks
(MEN) business for $530 million in cash and $239 million in aggregate principal amount of 6% senior
convertible notes due June 2017. The terms of the notes to be issued upon closing are set forth in Note 22 of
the Consolidated Financial Statements found under Item 8 of Part II of this annual report. Nortel’s product and
technology assets to be acquired include:

(cid:129) long-haul optical transport portfolio;

(cid:129) metro optical Ethernet switching and transport solutions;

(cid:129) Ethernet transport, aggregation and switching technology;

(cid:129) multiservice SONET/SDH product families; and

(cid:129) network management software products.

In addition to these products, the acquired operations also include network implementation and support
services. The assets to be acquired generated approximately $1.36 billion in revenue for Nortel in fiscal 2008
and approximately $556 million (unaudited) in the first six months of Nortel’s fiscal 2009.

The pending acquisition encompasses a business that is a leading provider of next-generation, 40G and

100G optical transport technology with a significant, global installed base. The acquired transport technology
allows network operators to upgrade their existing 10G networks to 40G capability, quadrupling capacity
without the need for new fiber deployments or complex network re-engineering. In addition to transport

capability, the optical platforms acquired include traffic switching and aggregation capability for traditional
protocols such as SONET/SDH as well as newer packet protocols such as Ethernet. A suite of software
products used to manage networks built from these technologies is also part of the transaction.

We believe that the transaction provides an opportunity to significantly transform Ciena and strengthen

our position as a leader in next-generation, automated optical Ethernet networking. We believe that the
additional resources, expanded geographic reach, new and broader customer relationships, and deeper portfolio
of complementary network solutions derived from the transaction will augment Ciena’s growth. We also expect
that the transaction will add scale, enable operating model synergies and provide an opportunity to optimize
our research and development investment. We expect these benefits of the transaction will help Ciena to better
compete with traditional, larger network vendors.

We expect to make employment offers to at least 2,000 Nortel employees to become part of Ciena’s
global team of network specialists. The transaction will significantly enhance our existing Canadian-based
development resources, making Ottawa our largest product and development center.

Given the structure of the transaction as an asset carve-out from Nortel, we expect that the transaction

will result in a costly and complex integration with a number of operational risks. We expect to incur
integration-related costs of approximately $180 million, with the majority of these costs to be incurred in the
first 12 months following the completion of the transaction. We also expect to incur significant transition
services expense, and we will rely upon an affiliate of Nortel to perform certain operational functions during
an interim period following closing not to exceed two years.

We expect this pending transaction to close in the first calendar quarter of 2010. If the closing does not
take place on or before April 30, 2010, the applicable asset sale agreements may be terminated by either party.
Ciena has been granted early termination of the antitrust waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and
the Canadian Competition Act. On December 2, 2009, the bankruptcy courts in the U.S. and Canada approved
the asset sale agreement relating to Ciena’s acquisition of substantially all of the North American, Caribbean
and Latin American and Asian optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s MEN business.
Completion of the transaction remains subject to information and consultation with employee representatives
and employees in certain international jurisdictions, an additional regional regulatory clearance and customary
closing conditions.

Financial Overview — Fiscal 2009 and Effect of Market Conditions

Our results of operations for fiscal 2009 reflect the weakness, volatility and uncertainty presented by the

global market conditions that we encountered during the year. Our results reflect cautious spending among our
largest customers during fiscal 2009, as they sought to conserve capital, reduce debt or address uncertainties or
changes in their own business models brought on by broader market challenges. As a result, we experienced
lower demand across our customer base in all geographies, as well as lengthening sales cycles, customer
delays in network build-outs and slowing deployments. We generated revenue of $652.6 million in fiscal 2009,
representing a 27.7% decrease from fiscal 2008 revenue of $902.4 million. Net income decreased from
$38.9 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, in fiscal 2008, to a loss of $581.2 million, or $6.37 per diluted share,
in fiscal 2009, reflecting a goodwill impairment charge of $455.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.
We generated $7.4 million in cash from operations during fiscal 2009 compared to $117.6 million in cash
from operations during fiscal 2008. For more information regarding our results of operations and market
conditions, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in
Item 7 of Part II of this annual report.

Business Segment Data and Certain Financial Information

We manage our business in one operating segment. The matters discussed in this “Business” section
should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements found under Item 8 of Part II of this
annual report, which includes additional financial information about our total assets, revenue, measures of
profits and loss, and financial information about geographic areas and customers representing greater than
10% of revenue.

2

Corporate Information and Access to SEC Reports

We were incorporated in Delaware in November 1992, and completed our initial public offering on
February 7, 1997. Our principal executive offices are located at 1201 Winterson Road, Linthicum, Maryland
21090. Our telephone number is (410) 865-8500, and our web site address is www.ciena.com. We make our
annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments
to those reports, available free of charge on the Investor Relations page of our web site as soon as reasonably
practicable after we file these reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We routinely post
the reports above, recent news and announcements, financial results and other important information about our
business on our website at www.ciena.com. Information contained on our web site is not a part of this annual
report.

Industry Background

The markets in which we sell our equipment and services have been subject to dynamic changes in recent

years, including increased competition, growth in traffic, expanded service offerings, and evolving market
opportunities and challenges.

Increased Network Capacity Requirements and Multiservice Traffic Driving Increased Transmission
Speeds and Flexible Infrastructures

Today’s networks are experiencing strong traffic growth and new service demands, especially in the
access and metro portions of wireline networks and the backhaul portions of wireless networks. Increasing use
of and reliance upon communications services by consumer and enterprise end users for a wide range of
personal and business tasks, and the expansion of high-bandwidth, wireline and wireless service offerings, are
driving increased network capacity requirements. Business customers seeking to improve automation, effi-
ciency and productivity have become increasingly dependent upon enterprise-oriented communications and
data services. As their workforces are becoming more mobile, enterprises are driving demand for seamless
access to these business applications. In addition, enterprise technology trends such as IT virtualization and
cloud computing are also placing new capacity and service requirements on networks. At the same time, with
consumer adoption of broadband technologies, including peer-to-peer Internet applications, video services,
online gaming, music downloads and mobile web and data services, an increasing portion of network traffic is
consumer-driven. This shift presents a challenge to service providers because, historically, consumers pay a
lower price for their bandwidth usage than enterprises, yet they are becoming a bigger portion of overall traffic
demand. All of these factors are requiring networks to be more flexible, scalable and cost effective.

This traffic growth is driving networks to achieve increased transmission speeds, including the emergence

of 40G and 100G optical transport technology. The growing mix of high-bandwidth traffic, and an increasing
focus on controlling network costs, is also driving a transition from multiple, disparate networks based on
SONET/SDH to more efficient, converged, multi-purpose Ethernet/IP-based network architectures. As a global
standard that is widely deployed, we believe that Ethernet is an ideal technology for reducing cost and
consolidating multiple services on a single network. The industry has seen network technology transitions like
this in the past. These large investment cycles tend to happen over multi-year periods. For instance, from the
mid 1980s to the mid 1990s, service providers focused network upgrades on the transition required to digitize
voice traffic. From the mid 1990s to the mid 2000s, service providers focused network upgrades on the
transition to SONET/SDH networks designed to reliably handle substantially more network traffic. We believe
that the industry is currently in the early stages of network transition to multi-purpose Ethernet/IP-based
network architectures that more efficiently handle the growing mix of multiservice traffic. We see opportunities
in providing a portfolio of carrier class solutions that facilitate this transition to automated optical Ethernet
networks.

Wireless Networks

Several years ago, data surpassed voice as the dominant traffic on wireline networks. This transition drove

substantial investment as service providers upgraded their wireline infrastructure to accommodate higher

3

bandwidth requirements and new usage patterns associated with new applications and service offerings. A
similar shift is now occurring in wireless networks. The emergence of smart mobile devices that deliver
integrated voice, audio, photo, video, email and mobile web capabilities, like Apple’s iPhoneTM, are rapidly
changing the kind of traffic carried by wireless networks. Like the wireline networks before them, wireless
networks initially were constructed principally to handle voice traffic, not the higher bandwidth, multiservice
traffic that has grown in recent years. As a result, wireless networks are undergoing significant change as they
evolve from today’s second and third generation (2G and 3G) networks to include 4th generation (4G)
technologies, such as WiMax and LTE, intended to support data rates in the hundreds of megabits per second.
This evolution, together with growing mobility and expanding wireless applications, will require upgrades to
existing wireless infrastructure, including wireline backhaul of mobile traffic.

Increased Competition Among Communications Service Providers and Effect on Network Investment

Competition continues to be fierce among communications services providers, particularly as traditional

telecommunications companies and cable operators look to offer a broader mix of revenue-generating services.
Service providers face new competitors, new technologies and intense price competition while traditional
sources of revenue from voice and enterprise data services are under pressure. These dynamics place increased
scrutiny and prioritization of network spending and heightened focus on the return on investment of enhancing
existing infrastructures or building new communications networks. Service providers need to create and rapidly
deliver new, robust service offerings and dedicated communications at increasing speeds to differentiate from
competitors and grow their business. At the same time, they are increasingly seeking ways to reduce their
network operating and capital costs and create new service offerings profitably. By utilizing scalable networks
that are less complex, less expensive to operate and more adaptable, service providers can derive increased
value from their network investments through the profitable and efficient delivery of new services.

Changes in Sourcing and Procurement Strategies

Challenging market conditions and the effects of the competitive landscape described above have only

increased efforts among service providers to control network infrastructure costs. These conditions have
resulted in the emergence of new sourcing and procurement strategies among service providers. Some of our
customers have recently undertaken efforts to outsource entirely the building, operation and maintenance of
their networks to suppliers or integrators. Others have indicated a procurement strategy to reduce the number
of vendors from which they purchase equipment. We have also experienced customer efforts to seek vendor
financing or other purchasing mechanisms intended to minimize or defer capital expenditures, or address
business needs related to inventory levels, lead times and operating costs. We believe that changes in
procurement strategies, particularly among our largest customers, will present opportunities, as well as
significant challenges, for equipment providers like us. In particular, we see our consultative approach and
expanded professional services offering as a key differentiator to help strengthen the strategic role we play in
our customer’s networks.

Carrier-Managed Services and Private Networks

Enterprises are increasingly requiring additional bandwidth capacity to support data interconnection,
facilitate global expansion of operations, enable employee mobility and utilize video services. As information
technology and communications services have taken on a strategic role in operations, enterprises and
government agencies have become more concerned about network reliability and security, business continuity
and disaster recovery. Many enterprises have also had to address industry-specific compliance and regulatory
requirements. These changing requirements have driven service providers to ensure that their network
infrastructures and service offerings can meet the changing needs of their largest customers. As a result,
service providers offer a wide range of enterprise-oriented, carrier-managed services. In addition to this
expansion of carrier-managed services, a number of large enterprises, government agencies and research and
education institutions have decided to forego carrier-managed communications services in favor of building
their own, secure private networks, some on a global scale.

4

Shift in Value from Networks to Applications

In the past, enterprises and consumers perceived value in network connectivity. These end users of

networks now place a higher value on the services or applications accessed and delivered over the network. As
a result, service providers need to create, market and sell profitable services as opposed to simply selling
connectivity. Some examples of applications causing this shift in value include:

(cid:129) Virtualization. Virtualization moves a physical resource from a user’s desktop into the network,
thereby making more efficient use of information technology resources. Virtualization has many
appealing attributes such as lowering barriers of entry into new markets, and even adding flexibility to
scale certain aspects of a business faster and with less expense.

(cid:129) Software as a Service. Software as a service involves the sale of an application hosted as a service
provided to end users, replacing standardized applications for virtualized services and, in some cases,
replacing aspects of the traditional IT infrastructure. By way of example, traditional customer
relationship management applications can be replaced with services such as Salesforce.comTM.

(cid:129) Mobility. The increase in availability and improved ease of use of web-based applications from mobile
devices expands the reach of virtualized services beyond a wireline connection. For instance, consumer-
driven video and gaming are being virtualized, allowing broad access to these applications, regardless
of the device or the network used.

We believe these shifts will require communications network infrastructures to be able to be more automated,
robust and flexible.

Strategy

Our strategy has evolved to enable our customers to deal with the challenges and industry trends

discussed above. We started in the 1990s as a provider of intelligent optical transport solutions. Our focus was
on making the transport network scalable, flexible and resilient through software-enabled automation. We
enabled a new generation of mesh networking that allowed for new, tiered services and reduced network
operating expenditures. We then combined the economics of Ethernet with our heritage of resilient optics,
creating connection-oriented Ethernet products and features with carrier-grade performance. We are entering a
new stage of our strategic evolution with a focus on enabling service delivery. For service providers, new
services drive revenue growth. For enterprises, new services support strategic business needs and improve
operational efficiency.

Our vision is to enable a service-driven network that is automated and programmable remotely via
software. Programmable networks allow our customers to adapt and scale as their business models, services
mix and market demands change. Through our current product portfolio and ongoing research and develop-
ment efforts, we seek to provide networking solutions, including hardware, embedded software and manage-
ment software, that allow our customers to rapidly and efficiently introduce and provision new revenue-
generating services while enabling operational cost savings. We believe our innovation will allow tomorrow’s
service-driven network to adapt and scale, manage unpredictability, and eliminate barriers to new services. In
providing these solutions, we aim to change fundamentally the way our customers compete.

Our vision of a service-driven network is based on three key building blocks of our FlexSelectTM

Architecture:

(cid:129) Programmable network elements capable of being rapidly reconfigured by software applications;

(cid:129) Embedded and management software that increases automation; and

(cid:129) True Carrier EthernetTM (TCE) technology to provide reliable, feature-rich and cost-effective Ethernet to

support a wider variety of services.

Through these technology elements, we seek to offer customers the means to automate delivery and
management of a broad mix of services and enable a software-defined, service-agnostic network that offers
enhanced flexibility and is more cost-effective to deploy, scale and manage.

5

Incorporating this approach to service-driven networks into our strategy, we are pursuing the following

initiatives:

(cid:129) Maintain and extend technology leadership in the transition from legacy network infrastructures to

automated optical Ethernet networking;

(cid:129) Build upon our consultative approach and expand our professional services offerings to enhance the
strategic value we bring to customer relationships in their design, deployment and delivery of new
services; and

(cid:129) Grow and diversify our customer base by expanding our geographic reach, addressing new network

applications and penetrating new market and customer segments.

Customers and Markets

Our customer base and the markets into which we sell our equipment, software and services have
expanded in recent years as new market opportunities have emerged and our product portfolio has grown to
include additional products in the metro and access portions of communications networks. The networking
equipment needs of our customers vary, depending upon their size, location, the nature of their end users and
the applications or services that they deliver and support. We sell our products and services through our direct
sales force and third party channel partners in the following markets:

Communications Service Providers

Our communications service provider customers include regional, national and international, wireline and

wireless carriers. These customers include AT&T, BT, Cable & Wireless, CenturyLink, Clearwire, France
Telecom, Korea Telecom, Qwest, Sprint, Tata Communications, Telmex, Verizon and XO Communications.
Traditional telecommunications service providers are our historical customer base and continue to represent
the largest contributor to our revenue. We provide service providers with products from the network core to
the edge to enable access. Our products enable service providers to rapidly provision new services and reduce
network costs by aggregating multiservice traffic, or additional capacity, over a converged network. Our
network offering enables service providers to support consumer demand for video delivery, broadband data
and wireless broadband services, while continuing to support legacy voice services. Our products also enable
service providers to support private networks and applications for enterprise users, including carrier-managed
services, wide area network consolidation, inter-site connectivity, storage and Ethernet services.

Cable Operators

Our customers include leading cable and multiservice operators in the U.S. and internationally. Our cable

and multiservice operator customers rely upon us for carrier-grade, optical Ethernet transport and switching
equipment to support enterprise-oriented services. Our platforms allow cable operators to integrate voice, video
and data applications over a converged infrastructure. Our products support key cable applications including
broadcast and digital video, voice over IP, video on demand and broadband data services.

Enterprise

Our enterprise customers include large, multi-site commercial organizations, including participants in the

financial, healthcare, transportation and retail industries. Our solutions can enable enterprises to achieve
operational improvements, increased automation and information technology cost reductions. We offer
equipment, software and services that facilitate wide area network consolidation, and storage extension for
business continuity and disaster recovery. Our products enable inter-site connectivity between data centers,
sales offices, manufacturing plants, retail stores and research and development centers, using an owned or
leased private fiber network or a carrier-managed service. Our products facilitate key enterprise applications
including data, voice, video, Ethernet services, online collaboration, conferencing and other business services.
Our products also enable our enterprise customers to prevent unexpected network downtime and ensure the
safety, security and availability of their data.

6

Government, Research and Education

Our government customers include federal and state agencies in the U.S. as well as government entities
outside of the U.S. Our customers also include domestic and international research and education institutions
seeking to take advantage of technology innovation and facilitate increased collaboration. Our products,
software and services enable these customers to improve network performance, capacity, security, reliability
and flexibility. Our products also enable government agencies and research and education institutions to build
their own secure, private networks.

Products and Services

We offer a portfolio of communications networking equipment and management software that form the

building blocks of a service-driven network. Our product portfolio consists of our optical service delivery
products and our carrier Ethernet service delivery products. Together with our professional services, these
offerings provide solutions to address the business needs of our customers and the tools necessary to face the
market and technological challenges described above.

We have focused our product and service offerings on the following critical portions of the network: core

networking, full-service metro, managed services and enterprise, and mobile backhaul. In the network’s core,
we deliver transport and switching equipment that creates an automated, dynamic optical infrastructure
supporting a wide variety of network services. In the metro portion of the network, we deliver a comprehen-
sive, converged transport and switching solution that manages circuits, wavelengths and packets. In managed
services applications and enterprise networks, we enable services including storage, data connectivity, video
and Ethernet services. In wireless and backhaul networks, we provide wireline and wireless carriers with the
tools to migrate their networks to support mobile data applications and enable Ethernet-based backhaul.

Underpinning our product offerings are some common technology elements, including the key building
blocks of our FlexSelect Architecture described above. These elements appear across our product portfolio and
allow us to create differentiated solutions by combining various products from the core to the edge of
customers’ networks.

Optical Service Delivery

Our optical service delivery portfolio includes transport and switching platforms that act as automated
optical infrastructures for the delivery of a wide variety of enterprise and consumer-oriented network services.
These products address both the core and metro segments of communications networks, as well as key
managed service and enterprise applications.

Our principal core switching product is our CoreDirector» Multiservice Optical Switch. CoreDirector is a

multiservice, multi-protocol switching system that consolidates the functionality of an add/drop multiplexer,
digital cross-connect and packet aggregator, into a single, high-capacity intelligent switching system.
CoreDirector’s mesh capability creates more efficient, more reliable networks. In addition to its application in
core networks, CoreDirector may also be used in metro networks for aggregation and forwarding of multiple
services, including Ethernet/TDM Private Line, Triple Play and IP services. In 2009, we introduced our
CoreDirector-FS, an expansion of our CoreDirector offering incorporating our FlexSelect technology elements.
We also introduced our 5400 family of reconfigurable switching systems. These multi-terabit Ethernet, OTN
and TDM switching systems with integrated transport functionality can be flexibly configured to implement a
broad range of network elements including a scalable optical cross-connect, feature-rich Carrier Ethernet
switch, or a fully converged packet-optical transport and switching system. These new platforms provide the
capabilities and reliability of CoreDirector, while providing service providers the ability to scale to higher
capacities and transition to packet-based networks.

In nationwide networks, our switching elements are connected by a reliable long-haul transport infrastruc-

ture. Our principal long-haul, core transport product is our CoreStream» Agility Optical Transport System.
CoreStream Agility is a flexible, scalable wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) solution that enables cost-

7

effective and efficient transport of voice, video and data related to a variety of services for core networks as
well as regional and metro networks.

Our optical service delivery solution in metro and regional networks is our CN 4200» FlexSelect
Advanced Services Platform family. Our CN 4200 family of products provides optical transport, wavelength
switching, TDM switching and packet switching, and includes a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer
(ROADM), several chassis sizes and a comprehensive set of line cards. Our CN 4200 platform is scalable and
can be utilized from the customer premises, where space and power are critical, to the metropolitan/regional
core, where the need for high capacity and carrier-class performance are essential.

Our optical service delivery products also include enterprise-oriented transport and switching products

designed for storage and LAN extension, interconnection of data centers over distance, which, when used
together with CN 4200, enable virtual private networks. These products address key enterprise applications
while reducing bandwidth usage through hardware compression and efficient bandwidth utilization.

Carrier Ethernet Service Delivery

Our carrier Ethernet service delivery offering primarily consists of service delivery switching products

and service aggregation platforms. This offering also includes our legacy broadband access products for
residential services. These products allow customers to utilize the automation and capacity created by our
optical service delivery products in core and metro networks and to deliver new, revenue-generating services
to consumers and enterprises. Our carrier Ethernet service delivery products have applications from the edge
of the metro/core network to the customer premises.

Our service delivery and aggregation switches provide True Carrier Ethernet, a more reliable and feature

rich type of Ethernet that can support a wider variety of services. These products support the access and
aggregation tiers of communications networks, and are typically deployed in metro and access networks.
Service delivery products are often used at customer premises locations while aggregation platforms are used
to combine service to improve network resource utilization. Employing sophisticated carrier Ethernet switching
technology, these products deliver quality of service capabilities, virtual local area networking and switching
functions, and carrier-grade operations, administration, and maintenance features. In 2009, we introduced
several additions to our service delivery and aggregation offering intended to increase capacity for higher
bandwidth user connections and a broader set of aggregation and switching capabilities, such as enterprise
locations, backhaul from wireless cell sites, multi-tenant unit buildings and outside plant cabinets. Initial
deployment of these products have principally been in support of wireless backhaul deployments, including, in
large part, 4G WiMax, and business data services.

Our principal products for consumer broadband are our CNX-5 Broadband DSL System and CNX-5Plus

Modular Broadband Loop Carrier. These broadband access platforms allow service providers to transition
legacy voice networks to support next-generation services such as Internet-based (IP) telephony, video services
and DSL, and enable cost-effective migration to higher bandwidth Ethernet network infrastructures.

Unified Software and Service Management Tools

Our optical service delivery and carrier Ethernet service delivery products include a shared suite of
embedded operating system software and network management software tools that serve to unify our product
portfolio and provide the underlying automation and management features. Our embedded operating system is
a robust, service aware operating system that improves network utilization and availability, while delivering
enhanced performance monitoring and reliability. ON-Center Network & Service Management Suite, our
integrated network and service management software, is designed to simplify network management and
operation across our portfolio. ON-Center» can track individual services across multiple product suites,
facilitating planned network maintenance, outage detection and identification of customers or services affected
by network troubles. By increasing network automation, minimizing network downtime and monitoring
network performance and service metrics, our embedded operating system software and network management
software tools enable customers to improve cost effectiveness, while increasing the performance and function-
ality of their network operations.

8

Consulting and Support Services

To complement our product portfolio, we offer a broad range of consulting and support services that help
our customers design, deploy and operationalize their services. We provide these professional services through
our internal services resources as well as through service partners. Our services portfolio includes:

(cid:129) Network analysis, planning and design;

(cid:129) Network optimization and tuning;

(cid:129) Project management, including staging, site preparation and installation activities;

(cid:129) Deployment services, including turnkey installation and turn-up and test services; and

(cid:129) Maintenance and support services, including helpdesk and technical assistance and training, spares and
logistics management, software updates, engineering dispatch, advanced technical support and hardware
and software warranty extensions.

Product Development

Our industry is subject to rapid technological developments, evolving standards and protocols, and shifts

in customer demand. To remain competitive, we must continually enhance existing product platforms by
adding new features and functionality and introduce new product platforms that address next-generation
technologies and facilitate the transition to automated optical Ethernet networking. Our current development
investments are focused upon:

(cid:129) Data-optimized switching solutions and evolution of our CoreDirector family and 5400 family of

reconfigurable switching solutions;

(cid:129) Extending and increasing capacity of our converged optical transport service delivery portfolio,

including 100G transport technologies and capabilities;

(cid:129) Expanding our carrier Ethernet service delivery portfolio, including larger Ethernet aggregation

switches; and

(cid:129) Extending the value of our network management software platform across our product portfolio.

Our product development investments are driven by market demand and technological innovation,
involving close collaboration among our product development, sales and marketing organizations and input
from customers. In some cases, we work with third parties pursuant to technology licenses, OEM arrangements
and other strategic technology relationships or investments, to develop new components or products, modify
existing platforms or offer complementary technology to our customers. In addition, we participate in industry
and standards organizations, where appropriate, and incorporate information from these affiliations throughout
the product development process.

We regularly review our product offerings and development projects to determine their fit within our
portfolio and broader strategy. We assess the market demand, prospective return on investment and growth
opportunities, as well as the costs and resources necessary to support these products or development projects.
In recent years, our strategy has been to pursue technology and product convergence that allows us to
consolidate multiple technologies and functionalities on a single platform, or to control and manage multiple
elements throughout the network from a uniform management system, ultimately creating more robust and
cost-effective network tools. We have also shifted our strategic development approach from delivering point
products to comprehensive hardware, software and service solutions that address the business needs of our
customers.

Our research and development expense was $127.3 million, $175.0 million and $190.3 million for fiscal

2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. For more information regarding our research and development expense, see
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Part II
of this report.

9

Sales and Marketing

We sell our communications networking equipment, software and services through our direct sales
resources as well as through channel relationships. In addition to securing new customers, our sales strategy
has focused on building long-term relationships with existing customers that allow us to leverage our
incumbency by extending existing platforms and selling additional products to support new applications or
facilitate new service offerings throughout our customers’ network.

We maintain a direct sales presence through which we sell our product and service offerings into
customer markets in the following geographic locations: North America, Central and Latin America, Europe,
Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Within each geographic area, we maintain regional and customer-
specific teams, including sales professionals, systems engineers and marketing, service and commercial
management personnel, who ensure we operate closely with and provide a high level of support to our
customers.

We also maintain a channel program that works with resellers, systems integrators and service providers

to market and sell our products and services. Our third party channel sales and other distribution arrangements
enable us to leverage our direct sales resources and reach additional geographic regions and customer
segments. Our use of channel partners has been a key component in our sales to government, research and
education and enterprise customers. Some of our service provider customers also serve as channel partners
through which we sell products and services as part of their managed service offerings. We believe our
channel strategy affords us expanded market opportunities and reduces the financial risk of entering new
markets and pursuing new customer segments.

In support of our sales efforts, we engage in marketing activities intended to position and promote both
our brand and our product, software and service offerings. Our marketing team supports sales efforts through
direct customer interaction, industry events, public relations, general business publications, tradeshows, our
website and other marketing channels for our customers and channel partners.

Manufacturing and Operations

Our manufacturing and operations personnel manage our relationships with our contract manufacturers,
our supply chain, our product testing and quality, and logistics relating to our sales and distribution efforts. We
utilize a global sourcing strategy that focuses on sourcing of materials in lower cost regions such as Asia. We
also rely on contract manufacturers, with facilities principally in China and Thailand, to perform the majority
of the manufacturing for our products. We believe that this allows us to conserve capital, lower costs of
product sales, adjust quickly to changes in market demand, and operate without dedicating significant
resources to manufacturing-related plant and equipment. We utilize a direct order fulfillment model for certain
products. This allows us to rely on our contract manufacturers to perform final system integration and test,
prior to direct shipment of products from their facilities to our customers. For certain product lines, we
continue to perform a portion of the module assembly, final system integration and testing.

Our contract manufacturers procure components necessary for assembly and manufacture of our products

based on our specifications, approved vendor lists, bill of materials and testing and quality standards. Our
contract manufacturers’ activity is based on rolling forecasts that we provide to them to estimate demand for
our products. This build-to-forecast purchase model exposes us to the risk that our customers will not order
those products for which we have forecast sales, or will purchase less than we have forecast. As a result, we
may incur carrying charges or obsolete material charges for components purchased by our contract manufac-
turers. We work closely with our contract manufacturers to manage material, quality, cost and delivery times,
and we continually evaluate their services to ensure performance on a reliable and cost-effective basis.

Shortages in components that we rely upon have occurred and are possible. Our products include some

components that are proprietary in nature and only available from one or a small number of suppliers.
Significant time would be required to establish relationships with alternate suppliers or providers of proprietary
components. We do not have long-term contracts with any supplier or contract manufacturer that guarantees
supply of components or manufacturing services. If component supplies become limited, production at a

10

contract manufacturer is disrupted, or if we experience difficulty in our relationship with a key supplier or
contract manufacturer, we may encounter manufacturing delays that could adversely affect our business.

Backlog

Generally, we make sales pursuant to purchase orders issued under framework agreements that govern the

general commercial terms and conditions of the sale of our products and services. These agreements do not
obligate customers to purchase any minimum or guaranteed order quantities. At any given time, we have
orders for products that have not been shipped and for services that have not yet been performed. We also
have products that have been delivered and services that have been performed that are awaiting customer
acceptance. Generally, our customers may cancel or change their orders with limited advance notice, or they
may decide not to accept these products and services. As a result, backlogged orders should not be viewed as
an accurate indicator of future revenue in any particular period. As of October 31, 2008 and 2009, our backlog
was approximately $301 million and $291 million, respectively. Backlog includes product and service orders
from commercial and government customers combined. Backlog at October 31, 2009 includes approximately
$54 million primarily related to orders for maintenance and support services that we do not reasonably expect
to be filled within the next fiscal year. Our presentation of backlog may not be comparable with figures
presented by other companies in our industry.

Seasonality

Like other companies in our industry, we have experienced quarterly fluctuations in customer activity due

to seasonal considerations. We have experienced reductions in customer order volume toward the end of
calendar year and again early in the calendar year as annual capital budgets are finalized. We have also
experienced reductions in order volume, particularly in Europe, during the late summer months. As a result of
these seasonal effects, we have experienced decreases in orders during our fiscal first quarter, which ends on
January 31 of each year, and our fiscal third quarter, which ends on July 31 of each year. These seasonal
effects do not apply consistently and do not always correlate to our financial results. Accordingly, they should
not be considered a reliable indicator of our future revenue or results of operations.

Competition

Competition among providers of communications networking equipment, software and services is intense.
The markets for our products and services are characterized by rapidly advancing and converging technologies.
Competition in these markets is based on any one or a combination of the following factors:

(cid:129) product functionality and performance;

(cid:129) price;

(cid:129) incumbency and existing business relationships;

(cid:129) development plans and the ability of products and services to meet customers’ immediate and future

network requirements;

(cid:129) flexibility and scalability of products;

(cid:129) manufacturing and lead-time capability; and

(cid:129) installation and support capability.

Competition for sales of communications networking equipment is dominated by a small number of very

large, multinational companies. Our competitors have included Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Ericsson, Fujitsu,
Huawei, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel and Tellabs. These competitors have substantially greater financial,
operational and marketing resources than us. Many of our competitors also have well-established relationships
with large service providers. In recent years, mergers among some of our larger competitors have intensified
these advantages. Our industry has also experienced increased competition from low-cost producers in Asia,
which can contribute to pricing pressure.

11

We also compete with several smaller, but established, companies that offer one or more products that
compete directly or indirectly with our offerings or whose products address specific niches within the markets
we address. These competitors include ADVA and Infinera. In addition, there are a variety of earlier-stage
companies with products targeted at specific segments of the communications networking market. These
competitors often employ aggressive competitive and business tactics as they seek to gain entry to certain
customers or markets. Due to these practices and the narrower focus of their development efforts, these
competitors may be able to develop and introduce products more quickly, or offer commercial terms that are
more attractive to customers.

Patents, Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property Rights

We rely upon patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secret laws to establish and maintain proprietary

rights in our technology. We regularly file applications for patents and trademarks and have a significant
number of patents and trademarks in the United States and other countries where we do business. As of
December 1, 2009, we had received 563 U.S. patents and had pending 189 U.S. patent applications. Of the
patents that have been issued, the earliest any will expire is March 19, 2010. We also rely on non-disclosure
agreements and other contracts and policies regarding confidentiality, with employees, contractors and
customers to establish proprietary rights and protect trade secrets and confidential information. Our practice is
to require employees and consultants to execute non-disclosure and proprietary rights agreements upon
commencement of employment or consulting arrangements with us. These agreements acknowledge our
exclusive ownership of intellectual property developed by the individual during the course of his or her work
with us. The agreements also require that these persons maintain the confidentiality of all proprietary
information disclosed to them.

Enforcing proprietary rights, especially patents, can be costly and uncertain. Moreover, monitoring
unauthorized use of our technology is difficult, and we cannot be certain that the steps that we are taking will
detect or prevent unauthorized use, particularly as we expand our operations, product development and the
manufacturing of our products internationally, into countries that may not provide the same level of intellectual
property protection as the United States. In recent years, we have filed suit to enforce our intellectual property
rights and have been subject to several claims related to patent infringement. In some cases, resolution of these
claims has resulted in our payment of substantial sums. We believe that the frequency of patent infringement
claims is increasing as patent holders, including entities that are not in our industry and who purchase patents
as an investment or to monetize such rights by obtaining royalties, use such claims as a competitive tactic and
source of additional revenue. Third party infringement assertions, even those without merit, could cause us to
incur substantial costs. If we are not successful in defending these claims, we could be required to enter into a
license agreement requiring ongoing royalty payments, we may be required to redesign our products, or we
may be prohibited from selling any infringing technology.

Our operating system, network and service management software and other products incorporate software

and components under licenses from third parties. We may be required to license additional technology from
third parties in order to develop new products or product enhancements. There can be no assurance that these
licenses will be available or continue to be available on acceptable commercial terms. Failure to obtain or
maintain such licenses or other rights could affect our development efforts, require us to re-engineer our
products or obtain alternate technologies, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating
results.

Environmental Matters

Our business and operations are subject to environmental laws in various jurisdictions around the world,

including the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of the Use of Certain
Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) regulations adopted by the European
Union. We seek to operate our business in compliance with such laws relating to the materials and content of
our products and product takeback and recycling. Environmental regulation is increasing, particularly outside
of the United States, and we expect that our domestic and international operations may be subject to additional
environmental compliance requirements, which could expose us to additional costs. To date, our compliance

12

costs relating to environmental regulations have not resulted in a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations or financial condition.

Employees

As of October 31, 2009, we had 2,163 employees. None of our employees is represented by labor unions

or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We have not experienced any work stoppages and we
consider the relationships with our employees to be good. We believe that our future success depends in
critical part on our continued ability to recruit, motivate and retain qualified personnel.

Directors and Executive Officers

The table below sets forth certain information concerning our directors and executive officers:

Name

Age

Position

Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Gary B. Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stephen B. Alexander . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Michael G. Aquino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James E. Moylan, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Andrew C. Petrik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
David M. Rothenstein . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Arthur D. Smith, Ph.D.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D.(2)(3) . . . . . .
Harvey B. Cash(1)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bruce L. Claflin(1)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lawton W. Fitt(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Judith M. O’Brien(1)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Michael J. Rowny(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patrick T. Gallagher(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

66 Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
49
50
53
58

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
Senior Vice President, Global Field Operations
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
Officer

46 Vice President and Controller
41

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary
Senior Vice President, Chief Integration Officer

43
68 Director
71 Director
58 Director
56 Director
59 Director
59 Director
54 Director

(1) Member of the Compensation Committee

(2) Member of the Audit Committee

(3) Member of the Governance and Nominations Committee

Our Directors hold staggered terms of office, expiring as follows: Ms. Fitt, Dr. Nettles and Mr. Rowny in
2010; Ms. O’Brien and Messrs. Cash and Smith in 2011; and Messrs. Bradley, Claflin and Gallagher in 2012.
In accordance with Ciena’s bylaws, Mr. Gallagher will stand for election by shareholders at the 2010 annual
meeting to serve the remainder of the term above.

Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D. has served as a Director of Ciena since April 1994 and as Executive Chairman
of the Board of Directors since May 2001. From October 2000 to May 2001, Dr. Nettles was Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of Ciena, and he was President and Chief Executive Officer from April
1994 to October 2000. Dr. Nettles serves as a Trustee for the California Institute of Technology and serves on
the board of directors of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. and The Progressive Corporation. Dr. Nettles also serves
on the board of directors of Apptrigger, Inc., a privately held company.

Gary B. Smith joined Ciena in 1997 and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since May
2001. Mr. Smith has served on Ciena’s Board of Directors since October 2000. Mr. Smith also serves on the
board of directors for CommVault Systems, Inc. Mr. Smith also serves as a member of the Global Information
Infrastructure Commission.

13

Stephen B. Alexander joined Ciena in 1994 and has served as Chief Technology Officer since September

1998 and as a Senior Vice President since January 2000. Mr. Alexander has previously served as General
Manager of Products & Technology and General Manager of Transport and Switching and Data Networking.

Michael G. Aquino joined Ciena in June 2002 and has served as Ciena’s Senior Vice President, Global
Field Operations since October 2008. Mr. Aquino served as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales from
April 2006 to October 2008. Mr. Aquino previously held positions as Ciena’s Vice President of Americas, with
responsibility for sales activities in the region, and Vice President of Government Solutions, where he focused
on supporting Ciena’s relationships with the U.S. and Canadian government.

James E. Moylan, Jr. has served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer since
December 2007. From June 2006 to December 2007, Mr. Moylan served as Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Swett & Crawford, a wholesale insurance broker. From March 2004 to February
2006, Mr. Moylan served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PRG-Shultz International,
Inc., a publicly held recovery audit and business services firm. From June 2002 to April 2003, Mr. Moylan
served as Executive Vice President in charge of Composite Panels Distribution and Administration for
Georgia-Pacific Corporation’s building products business. From November 1999 to May 2002, Mr. Moylan
served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SCI Systems, Inc., an electronics contract
manufacturing company.

Andrew C. Petrik joined Ciena in 1996 and has served as Vice President, Controller since August 1997.

David M. Rothenstein joined Ciena in January 2001 and has served as Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary since November 2008. Mr. Rothenstein served as Vice President and Associate General
Counsel from July 2004 to October 2008 and previously as Assistant General Counsel.

Arthur D. Smith, Ph.D. joined Ciena in May 1997 and has served as Chief Integration Officer since

December 2009. Dr. Smith assumed this new role in support of the substantial integration effort associated
with our acquisition of substantially all of the optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s Metro
Ethernet Networks (MEN) business. Dr. Smith previously served as Ciena’s Chief Operating Officer from
October 2005 to December 2009. Dr. Smith served as Senior Vice President, Global Operations from
September 2003 to October 2005. Previously, Dr. Smith served as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Customer
Services and Support from June 2002 to September 2003.

Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D. has served as a Director of Ciena since April 1998. Professor Bradley is the

William Ziegler Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. A member of the
Harvard faculty since 1968, Professor Bradley is also Chairman of Harvard’s Executive Program in Competi-
tion and Strategy: Building and Sustaining Competitive Advantage. Professor Bradley serves on the board of
directors of i2 Technologies, Inc. and the Risk Management Foundation of the Harvard Medical Institutions.

Harvey B. Cash has served as a Director of Ciena since April 1994. Mr. Cash is a general partner of
InterWest Partners, a venture capital firm in Menlo Park, California, that he joined in 1985. Mr. Cash serves
on the board of directors of First Acceptance Corp., Silicon Laboratories, Inc. and Argonaut Group, Inc.

Bruce L. Claflin has served as a Director of Ciena since August 2006. Mr. Claflin served as President and

Chief Executive Officer of 3Com Corporation from January 2001 until his retirement in February 2006.
Mr. Claflin joined 3Com as President and Chief Operating Officer in August 1998. Prior to 3Com, Mr. Claflin
served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sales and Marketing, for Digital Equipment Corpora-
tion. Mr. Claflin also worked for 22 years at IBM, where he held various sales, marketing and management
positions, including general manager of IBM PC Company’s worldwide research and development, product
and brand management, as well as president of IBM PC Company Americas. Mr. Claflin also serves on the
board of directors of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) where he is currently Chairman of the Board.

Lawton W. Fitt has served as a Director of Ciena since November 2000. From October 2002 to March

2005, Ms. Fitt served as Director of the Royal Academy of Arts in London. From 1979 to October 2002,
Ms. Fitt was an investment banker with Goldman Sachs & Co., where she was a partner from 1994 to October
2002, and a managing director from 1996 to October 2002. Ms. Fitt serves on the board of directors of

14

Thomson Reuters Corporation, Frontier Communications Corporation, The Progressive Corporation and
Overture Acquisition Corp.

Judith M. O’Brien has served as a Director of Ciena since July 2000. Since November 2006, Ms. O’Brien

has served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Obopay, Inc., a provider of mobile payment
services. From February 2001 until October 2006, Ms. O’Brien served as a Managing Director at Incubic
Venture Fund, a venture capital firm. From February 1984 until February 2001, Ms. O’Brien was a partner
with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she specialized in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions
and general corporate matters.

Michael J. Rowny has served as a Director of Ciena since August 2004. Mr. Rowny has been Chairman
of Rowny Capital, a private equity firm, since 1999. From 1994 to 1999, and previously from 1983 to 1986,
Mr. Rowny was with MCI Communications in positions including President and Chief Executive Officer of
MCI’s International Ventures, Alliances and Correspondent group, acting Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice
President of Finance, and Treasurer. Mr. Rowny serves on the board of directors of Neustar, Inc.

Patrick T. Gallagher has served as a Director of Ciena since May 2009. Mr. Gallagher currently serves as
Chairman of Ubiquisys Ltd., a leading developer and supplier of femtocells for the global 3G mobile wireless
market. From January 2008 until February 2009, Mr. Gallagher was Chairman of Macro 4 plc, a global
software solutions company, and from May 2006 until March 2008, served as Vice Chairman of Golden
Telecom Inc., a leading facilities-based provider of integrated communications in Russia and the CIS. From
2003 until 2006, Mr. Gallagher was Executive Vice Chairman and served as Chief Executive Officer of FLAG
Telecom Group and, prior to that role, held various senior management positions at British Telecom.
Mr. Gallagher also serves on the board of directors of Harmonic Inc. and Sollers JSC.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Risks relating to our pending acquisition of certain Nortel Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN) Assets

Business combinations involve a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in this
report, you should consider the following risk factors related to our pending acquisition of certain Nortel MEN
assets before investing in our securities.

The pending transaction may not be completed, may be delayed or may result in the imposition of condi-
tions that could have a material adverse effect on Ciena’s operation of the business following completion.

In addition to customary closing conditions, completion of the pending transaction is conditioned upon
the receipt of certain governmental clearances or approvals that have not yet been obtained, including, without
limitation, the Investment Canada Act and regional bankruptcy approvals in France and Israel. Completion of
the transaction is also subject to information and consultation with employee representatives and/or employees
in certain international jurisdictions. Ciena has previously been granted early termination of the antitrust
waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and the Canadian Competition Act. There can be no assurance
that these clearances and approvals will be obtained and that previous clearances will be maintained. Third
parties could petition to have governmental entities reconsider previously granted clearances. In addition, the
governmental entities from which clearances and approvals are required may impose conditions on the
completion of the transaction, require changes to the terms of the transaction or impose restrictions on the
operation of the business following completion of the transaction. If the transaction is not completed,
completion is delayed or Ciena becomes subject to any material conditions in order to obtain any clearances
or approvals required to complete the transaction, its business and results of operations may be adversely
affected and its stock price may suffer.

We may fail to realize the anticipated benefits and operating synergies expected from the transaction,
which could adversely affect our operating results and the market price of our common stock.

The success of the transaction will depend, in significant part, on our ability to successfully integrate the

acquired business and realize the anticipated benefits and operating synergies to be derived from the

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combination of the two businesses. We believe that the additional resources, expanded geographic reach, new
and broader customer relationships, and deeper portfolio of complementary network solutions derived from the
pending transaction will accelerate the execution of our corporate and product development strategy and
provide opportunities to optimize our product development investment. Actual cost, operating, strategic and
sales synergies, if achieved at all, may be lower than we expect and may take longer to achieve than
anticipated. If we are not able to adequately address the integration challenges above, we may be unable to
realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction. The anticipated benefits of the transaction may not be
realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. If we are not able to achieve these
objectives, the value of Ciena’s common stock may be adversely affected.

Our pending acquisition will result in significant integration costs and any material delays or unantici-
pated additional expense may harm our business and results of operations.

We expect the magnitude of the integration effort will be significant and that it will require material

capital and operating expense by Ciena. We currently expect that integration expense associated with
equipment and information technology costs, transaction expense, and consulting and third party service fees
associated with integration, will be approximately $180 million over a two-year period, with a significant
portion of such costs anticipated to be incurred in the first year after completion of the transaction. This
amount does not give effect to any expense related to, among other things, facilities restructuring or inventory
obsolescence charges. This amount also does not give effect to higher operating expense associated with
transition services described below. As a result, the integration expense we incur and recognize for financial
statement purposes could be significantly higher. Any material delays or unanticipated additional expense may
harm our business and results of operations.

The integration of the acquired assets will be extremely complex and involve a number of risks. Failure
to successfully integrate our respective operations, including the underlying information systems, could
significantly harm our business and results of operations.

Because of the structure of the transaction, as an asset carve out from Nortel, upon completion of the
transaction we will not be integrating an entire enterprise, with the back-office systems and processes that
make the business run, when we complete this transaction. We must build the infrastructure and organizations,
and retain third party services, to ensure business continuity and to support and scale our business. Integrating
our operations will be extremely complex and there is no assurance that we will not encounter material delays
or unanticipated costs that would adversely affect our business and results of operations. Successful integration
involves numerous risks, including:

(cid:129) assimilating product offerings and sales and marketing operations;

(cid:129) coordinating research and development efforts;

(cid:129) retaining and attracting customers following a period of significant uncertainty associated with the

acquired business;

(cid:129) diversion of management attention from business and operational matters;

(cid:129) identifying and retaining key personnel;

(cid:129) maintaining and transitioning relationships with key vendors, including component providers, manufac-

turers and service providers;

(cid:129) integrating accounting, information technology, enterprise management and administrative systems

which may be difficult or costly;

(cid:129) making significant cash expenditures that may be required to retain personnel or eliminate unnecessary

resources;

(cid:129) managing tax costs or liabilities;

(cid:129) coordinating a broader and more geographically dispersed organization;

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(cid:129) maintaining uniform standards, procedures and policies to ensure efficient and compliant administration

of the organizaton; and

(cid:129) making any necessary modifications to internal control to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Delays encountered in the integration process, significant cost overruns and unanticipated expense could

have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

Following completion of the transaction we will rely upon an affiliate of Nortel to perform certain critical
transition services during a transition period and there can be no assurance that such services will be
performed timely and effectively.

Following the completion of the transaction, we will rely upon an affiliate of Nortel for certain transition
services related to the operation and continuity of the business following completion of the transaction. These
services include, among others, critical functions relating to accounting, information technology, maintenance
services and facilities. We anticipate that transition service-related expense will be significant and the
administration and oversight of these services will be complex. The transition service provider will be
performing services on behalf of Ciena as well as certain other purchasers of those businesses that Nortel has
divested in the course of its bankruptcy proceedings. Relying upon this transition services provider to perform
critical operations and services raises a number of significant business and operational risks, including its
ability to become an effective support partner for all of the Nortel purchasers, segregation of such services,
and its ability to retain experienced and knowledgeable personnel. There can be no assurance such services
will be performed timely and effectively. Significant disruption in these transition services or unanticipated
costs related to such services could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Upon the closing of the transaction, we will take on substantial additional indebtedness and materially
reduce our cash balance.

In accordance with the applicable asset purchase agreements, upon completion of the transaction, we will

pay the sellers $530 million in cash and issue them $239 million in aggregate principal of senior convertible
notes due in fiscal 2017. This cash expenditure will significantly reduce our cash balance. In addition, the
terms of the notes to be issued provide for an adjustment of the interest rate up to a maximum of 8% per
annum, depending upon the market price of our common stock upon the completion of the transaction. The
lower cash balance and increased indebtedness resulting from this transaction could adversely affect our
business. In particular, it could increase our vulnerability to sustained, adverse macroeconomic weakness, limit
our ability to obtain further financing and limit our ability to pursue certain operational and strategic
opportunities. Our indebtedness and lower cash balance may also put us in a competitive disadvantage to other
vendors with greater resources.

The transaction may expose us to significant unanticipated liabilities that could adversely affect our busi-
ness and results of operations.

Our purchase of the acquired business in connection with Nortel’s bankruptcy proceedings may expose us

to significant unanticipated liabilities. We may incur unforeseen liabilities relating to the operation of the
business including employment related obligations under applicable law or benefits arrangements, legal claims,
warranty or similar liabilities to customers, and claims by or amounts owed to vendors, including as a result of
any contracts assigned to Ciena in the transaction. We may also incur liabilities or claims associated with our
acquisition or licensing of Nortel’s technology and intellectual property including claims of infringement. Our
acquisition of Nortel’s assets, particularly in international jurisdictions, could also expose us to tax liabilities
and other amounts owed by Nortel. The incurrence of such unforeseen or unanticipated liabilities, should they
be significant, could have a material adverse affect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.

17

The transaction may not be accretive and may cause dilution to our earnings per share, which may harm
the market price of our common stock.

We currently anticipate that the transaction will be accretive to earnings per share for fiscal 2011. This

expectation is based on preliminary estimates which may materially change after the completion of the
transaction. We have previously incurred operating expense, on a stand alone basis, higher than we anticipated
for periods during fiscal 2009. The magnitude of the integration relating to our pending transaction, together
with the increased scale of our operations resulting from the transaction, will make forecasting, managing and
constraining our operating expense even more difficult. We could also encounter additional transaction and
integration-related costs or fail to realize all of the benefits of the transaction that underlie our financial model
and expectations as to profitability. All of these factors could cause dilution to our earnings per share or
decrease or delay the expected accretive effect of the transaction and cause a decrease in the price of our
common stock.

The complexity of the integration and transition associated with our pending transaction, together with
the increased scale of our operations, may challenge our internal control over financial reporting and
our ability to effectively and timely report our financial results.

Following the completion of the pending transaction, we will rely upon a combination of Ciena
information systems and critical transition services that are necessary for us to accurately and effectively
compile and report our financial results. We will also have to train new employees and third party providers,
and assume operations in jurisdictions where we have not previously had operations. The scale of these
operations, together with the complexity of the integration effort, including changes to or implementation of
critical information technology systems, may adversely affect our ability to report our financial results on a
timely basis. We expect that the transaction may necessitate significant modifications to our internal control
systems, processes and information systems. We cannot be certain that changes to our design for internal
control over financial reporting will be sufficient to enable management or our independent registered public
accounting firm to determine that our internal controls are effective for any period, or on an ongoing basis. If
we are unable to accurately and timely report our financial results, or are unable to assert that our internal
controls over financial reporting are effective, our business and market perception of our financial condition
may be harmed and the trading price of our stock may be adversely affected.

Following our acquisition of the Nortel assets, the combined company must continue to retain, motivate
and recruit key executives and employees, which may be difficult in light of uncertainty regarding the
pending transaction and the significant integration efforts following closing.

For the pending transaction to be successful, during the period before the transaction is completed, both

Ciena and Nortel must continue to retain, motivate and recruit executives and other key employees. Moreover,
following the completion of the transaction, Ciena must be successful at retaining and motivating key
employees. Experienced employees, particularly with experience in optical engineering, are in high demand
and competition for their talents can be intense. Employees of both companies may experience uncertainty,
real or perceived, about their future role with the combined company until, or even after, Ciena’s post-closing
strategies are announced or executed. These potential distractions may adversely affect the ability to retain,
motivate and recruit executives and other key employees and keep them focused on corporate strategies and
objectives. The failure to attract, retain and motivate executives and other key employees before and following
completion of the transaction could have a negative impact on Ciena’s business.

Risks related to our current business and operations

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in

this report, you should consider the following risk factors before investing in our securities.

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Our business and operating results could be adversely affected by unfavorable macroeconomic and
market conditions and reductions in the level of capital expenditure by our largest customers in response
to these conditions.

Starting in the second half of fiscal 2008, our business began to experience the effects of worsening
macroeconomic conditions and significant disruptions in the financial and credit markets globally. In the face
of these conditions, many companies, including some of our largest communications service provider
customers, significantly reduced their network infrastructure expenditures as they sought to conserve capital,
reduce debt or address uncertainties or changes in their own business models brought on by broader market
challenges. Our business experienced lengthening sales cycles, customer delays in network buildouts and
slowing deployments, resulting in lower demand across our customer base in all geographies. Our results of
operations for fiscal 2009 were materially adversely affected by the weakness, volatility and uncertainty
presented by the global market conditions that we encountered during the year.

Broad macroeconomic weakness, customer financial difficulties, changes in customer business models

and constrained spending on communications networks have previously resulted in sustained periods of
decreased demand for our products and services that have adversely affected our operating results. Challenging
economic and market conditions may also result in:

(cid:129) difficulty forecasting, budgeting and planning due to limited visibility into the spending plans of current

or prospective customers;

(cid:129) increased competition for fewer network projects and sales opportunities;

(cid:129) pricing pressure that may adversely affect revenue and gross margin;

(cid:129) higher overhead costs as a percentage of revenue;

(cid:129) increased risk of charges relating to excess and obsolete inventories and the write off of other intangible

assets; and

(cid:129) customer financial difficulty and increased risk of doubtful accounts receivable.

Our business and financial results are closely tied to the prospects, performance, and financial condition

of our largest communications service provider customers and are significantly affected by market or industry-
wide changes that affect their businesses and their level of infrastructure-related spending. These factors
include the level of enterprise and consumer spending on communications services, adoption of new
communications services or applications and consumption of available network capacity. We are uncertain as
to how long current unfavorable macroeconomic and industry conditions will persist and the magnitude of
their effects on our business and results of operations.

A small number of communications service providers account for a significant portion of our revenue.
The loss of any of these customers, or a significant reduction in their spending, would have a material
adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

A significant portion of our revenue is concentrated among a relatively small number of communications

service providers. Eight customers accounted for greater than 60% of our revenue in fiscal 2009. Consequently,
our financial results are closely correlated with the spending of a relatively small number of communications
service providers. The terms of our frame contracts generally do not obligate these customers to purchase any
minimum or specific amounts of equipment or services. Because their spending may be unpredictable and
sporadic, our revenue and operating results can fluctuate on a quarterly basis. Reliance upon a relatively small
number of customers increases our exposure to changes in their network and purchasing strategies. Some of
our customers are pursuing efforts to outsource the management and operation of their networks, or have
indicated a procurement strategy to reduce or rationalize the number of vendors from which they purchase
equipment. These strategies may present challenges to our business and could benefit our larger competitors.
Our concentration in revenue has increased in recent years, in part, as a result of consolidations among a
number of our largest customers. Consolidations may increase the likelihood of temporary or indefinite
reductions in customer spending or changes in network strategy that could harm our business and operating

19

results. The loss of one or more large service provider customers, or a significant reduction in their spending,
as a result of the factors above or otherwise, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.

Our revenue and operating results can fluctuate unpredictably from quarter to quarter.

Our revenue and results of operations can fluctuate unpredictably from quarter to quarter. Our budgeted

expense levels depend in part on our expectations of long-term future revenue and gross margin, and
substantial reductions in expense are difficult and can take time to implement. Uncertainty or lack of visibility
into customer spending, and changes in economic or market conditions, can make it difficult to prepare
reliable estimates of future revenue and corresponding expense levels. Consequently, our level of operating
expense or inventory may be high relative to our revenue, which could harm our ability to achieve or maintain
profitability. Given market conditions and the effect of cautious spending in recent quarters, lower levels of
backlog orders and an increase in the percentage of quarterly revenue relating to orders placed in that quarter
could result in more variability and less predictability in our quarterly results.

Additional factors that contribute to fluctuations in our revenue and operating results include:

(cid:129) broader economic and market conditions affecting us and our customers;

(cid:129) changes in capital spending by large communications service providers;

(cid:129) the timing and size of orders, including our ability to recognize revenue under customer contracts;

(cid:129) variations in the mix between higher and lower margin products and services; and

(cid:129) the level of pricing pressure we encounter.

Many factors affecting our results of operations are beyond our control, particularly in the case of large

service provider orders and multi-vendor or multi-technology network infrastructure builds where the achieve-
ment of certain thresholds for acceptance is subject to the readiness and performance of the customer or other
providers, and changes in customer requirements or installation plans. As a consequence, our results for a
particular quarter may be difficult to predict, and our prior results are not necessarily indicative of results
likely in future periods. The factors above may cause our revenue and operating results to fluctuate
unpredictably from quarter to quarter. These fluctuations may cause our operating results to be below the
expectations of securities analysts or investors, which may cause our stock price to decline.

We face intense competition that could hurt our sales and results of operations.

The markets in which we compete for sales of networking equipment, software and services are extremely

competitive, particularly the market for sales to large communications service providers. The level of
competition and pricing pressure that we face increases substantially during periods of macroeconomic
weakness, constrained spending or fewer network projects. As a result of current market conditions, we have
experienced significant competition and increased pricing pressure, particularly for our optical transport
products. We face particularly intense competition in our efforts to attract additional large carrier customers in
new geographies and secure new market opportunities with existing carrier customers. In an effort to secure
attractive long-term customers or new customers, we may agree to pricing or other terms that that result in
negative gross margins on a particular order or group of orders.

Competition in our markets, generally, is based on any one or a combination of the following factors:
price, product features, functionality and performance, introduction of innovative network solutions, manufac-
turing capability and lead-times, incumbency and existing business relationships, scalability and the flexibility
of products to meet the immediate and future network requirements of customers. A small number of very
large companies have historically dominated our industry. These competitors have substantially greater
financial, technical and marketing resources, greater manufacturing capacity, broader product offerings and
more established relationships with service providers and other potential customers than we do. Because of
their scale and resources, they may be perceived to be better positioned to offer network operating or
management service for large carrier customers. Consolidation activity among large networking equipment

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providers has caused some of our competitors to grow even larger, which may increase their strategic
advantages and adversely affect our competitive position.

We also compete with a number of smaller companies that provide significant competition for a specific
product, application, customer segment or geographic market. Due to the narrower focus of their efforts, these
competitors may achieve commercial availability of their products more quickly or may be more attractive to
customers.

Increased competition in our markets has resulted in aggressive business tactics, including:

(cid:129) significant price competition, particularly from competitors in Asia;

(cid:129) customer financing assistance;

(cid:129) early announcements of competing products and extensive marketing efforts;

(cid:129) competitors offering equity ownership positions to customers;

(cid:129) competitors offering to repurchase our equipment from existing customers;

(cid:129) marketing and advertising assistance; and

(cid:129) intellectual property assertions and disputes.

The tactics described above can be particularly effective in an increasingly concentrated base of potential

customers such as communications service providers. If competitive pressures increase or we fail to compete
successfully in our markets, our sales and profitability would suffer.

Our reliance upon third party manufacturers exposes us to risks that could negatively affect our business
and operations.

We rely upon third party contract manufacturers to perform the majority of the manufacturing of our
products and components. In recent years we have transitioned a significant portion of our product manufac-
turing to overseas suppliers in Asia, with much of the manufacturing taking place in China and Thailand.
Some of our contract manufacturers ship products directly to our customers on behalf of Ciena. Our reliance
upon these manufacturers could expose us to increased risks related to lead times, continued supply, on-time
delivery, quality assurance and compliance with environmental standards and other regulations. Reliance upon
third parties for manufacture of our products significantly exposes us to risks related to their business,
financial position and continued viability, which may be adversely affected by broader negative macroeco-
nomic conditions and difficulties in the credit markets. These conditions may disrupt their operations, result in
discontinuation of services, or result in pricing increases that affect our manufacturing requirements. Disrup-
tions to our business could also arise as a result of ineffective business continuity and disaster recovery plans
by our manufacturers. We do not have contracts in place with some of our manufacturers and do not have
guaranteed supply of components or manufacturing capacity. We could also experience difficulties as a result
of geopolitical events, military actions or health pandemics in the countries where our products or components
thereof are manufactured. During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, protests resulted in a blockade of Thailand’s
main international airport, which delayed product shipments from one of our key contract manufacturers.
Significant disruptions or difficulties with our contract manufacturers could negatively affect our business and
results of operations.

Investment of research and development resources in technologies for which there is not a matching mar-
ket opportunity, or failure to sufficiently or timely invest in technologies for which there is market
demand, would adversely affect our revenue and profitability.

The market for communications networking equipment is characterized by rapidly evolving technologies
and changes in market demand. We continually invest in research and development to sustain or enhance our
existing products and develop or acquire new products technologies. Our current development efforts are
focused upon the evolution of our CoreDirector Multiservice Optical Switch family, the expansion of our
carrier Ethernet service delivery and aggregation products, and the extension of our CN 4200 converged

21

optical service delivery portfolio, including 100G technologies and capabilities. There is often a lengthy period
between commencing these development initiatives and bringing a new or revised product to market. During
this time, technology preferences, customer demand and the market for our products may move in directions
we had not anticipated. There is no guarantee that new products or enhancements will achieve market
acceptance or that the timing of market adoption will be as predicted. There is a significant possibility,
therefore, that some of our development decisions, including our acquisitions or investments in technologies,
will not turn out as anticipated, and that our investment in some projects will be unprofitable. There is also a
possibility that we may miss a market opportunity because we failed to invest, or invested too late, in a
technology, product or enhancement. Changes in market demand or investment priorities may also cause us to
discontinue existing or planned development for new products or features, which can have a disruptive effect
on our relationships with customers. If we fail to make the right investments or fail to make them at the right
time, our competitive position may suffer and our revenue and profitability could be harmed.

Product performance problems could damage our business reputation and negatively affect our results of
operations.

The development and production of highly technical and complex communications network equipment is

complicated. Some of our products can be fully tested only when deployed in communications networks or
when carrying traffic with other equipment. As a result, product performance problems are often more acute
for initial deployments of new products and product enhancements. Our products have contained and may
contain undetected hardware or software errors or defects. These defects have resulted in warranty claims and
additional costs to remediate. Unanticipated problems can relate to the design, manufacturing, installation or
integration of our products. Performance problems and product malfunctions can also relate to defects in
components, software or manufacturing services supplied by third parties. Product performance, reliability and
quality problems can negatively affect our business, including:

(cid:129) increased costs to remediate software or hardware defects or replace products;

(cid:129) payment of liquidated damages or similar claims for performance failures or delays;

(cid:129) increased inventory obsolescence;

(cid:129) increased warranty expense or estimates resulting from higher failure rates, additional field service

obligations or other rework costs related to defects;

(cid:129) delays in recognizing revenue or collecting accounts receivable; and

(cid:129) declining sales to existing customers and order cancellations.

Product performance problems could also damage our business reputation and harm our prospects with
potential customers. These consequences of product defects or quality problems could negatively affect our
business and results of operations.

Network equipment sales to large communications service providers often involve lengthy sales cycles and
protracted contract negotiations and may require us to assume terms or conditions that negatively affect
our pricing, payment terms and the timing of revenue recognition.

Our future success will depend in large part on our ability to maintain and expand our sales to large
communications service providers. These sales typically involve lengthy sales cycles, protracted and sometimes
difficult contract negotiations, and extensive product testing and network certification. We are sometimes
required to agree to contract terms or conditions that negatively affect pricing, payment terms and the timing
of revenue recognition in order to consummate a sale. As a result of current market conditions, these
customers may request extended payment terms, vendor or third-party financing and other alternative purchase
structures. These terms may, in turn, negatively affect our revenue and results of operations and increase our
susceptibility to quarterly fluctuations in our results. Service providers may ultimately insist upon terms and
conditions that we deem too onerous or not in our best interest. Moreover, our purchase agreements generally
do not require that a customer guarantee any minimum purchase level and customers often have the right to

22

modify, delay, reduce or cancel previous orders. As a result, we may incur substantial expense and devote time
and resources to potential relationships that never materialize or result in lower than anticipated sales.

Difficulties with third party component suppliers, including sole and limited source suppliers, could
increase our costs and harm our business and customer relationships.

We depend on third party suppliers for our product components and subsystems, as well as for equipment

used to manufacture and test our products. Our products include key optical and electronic components for
which reliable, high-volume supply is often available from sole or limited sources. We have previously
encountered shortages in availability for important components that have affected our ability to deliver
products in a timely manner. Our business would be negatively affected if one or more of our suppliers were
to experience any significant disruption in their operations affecting the price, quality, availability or timely
delivery of components. Current unfavorable economic conditions, including a lack of liquidity, may adversely
affect the business of our suppliers or the terms on which we purchase components. We have seen an increased
incidence of component discontinuation as suppliers alter their businesses to adjust to market conditions. As a
result of our reliance on third parties, we may be unable to secure the components or subsystems that we
require in sufficient quantity and quality on reasonable terms. The loss of a source of supply, or lack of
sufficient availability of key components, could require us to redesign products that use those components,
which would increase our costs and negatively affect our product gross margin and results of operations.
Difficulties with suppliers could also result in lost revenue, additional product costs and deployment delays
that could harm our business and customer relationships.

We may not be successful in selling our products into new markets and developing and managing new
sales channels.

We continue to take steps to sell our products into new geographic markets outside of our traditional
markets and to a broader customer base, including other large communications service providers, enterprises,
cable operators, wireless operators and federal, state and local governments. We have less experience in these
markets and, in order to succeed in these markets, we believe we must develop and manage new sales channels
and distribution arrangements. We expect these relationships to be an increasingly important part of our
business. This strategy may not succeed and we may be exposed to increased expense and legal, business and
financial risks associated with entering new markets and pursuing new customer segments through channel
partners.

Part of our strategy is to pursue sales to federal, state and local governments. These sales require

compliance with complex procurement regulations with which we have limited experience. We may be unable
to increase our sales to government contractors if we determine that we cannot comply with applicable
regulations. Our failure to comply with regulations for existing contracts could result in civil, criminal or
administrative proceedings involving fines and suspension, or exclusion, from participation in federal govern-
ment contracts. Failure to manage additional sales channels effectively would limit our ability to succeed in
these new markets and could adversely affect our ability to expand our customer base and grow our business.

We may experience delays in the development of our products that may negatively affect our competitive
position and business.

Our products are based on complex technology, and we can experience unanticipated delays in

developing, manufacturing or deploying them. Each step in the development life cycle of our products presents
serious risks of failure, rework or delay, any one of which could affect the cost-effective and timely
development of our products. Intellectual property disputes, failure of critical design elements, and other
execution risks may delay or even prevent the release of these products. Delays in product development may
affect our reputation with customers and the timing and level of demand for our products. If we do not
develop and successfully introduce products in a timely manner, our competitive position may suffer and our
business, financial condition and results of operations would be harmed.

23

We may be required to write off significant amounts of inventory as a result of our inventory purchase
practices, the convergence of our product lines or unfavorable macroeconomic or industry conditions.

To avoid delays and meet customer demand for shorter delivery terms, we place orders with our contract

manufacturers and suppliers to manufacture components and complete assemblies based on forecasts of
customer demand. As a result, our inventory purchases expose us to the risk that our customers either will not
order the products we have forecasted or will purchase fewer products than forecasted. Unfavorable market or
industry conditions can limit visibility into customer spending plans and compound the difficulty of forecasting
inventory at appropriate levels. Moreover, our customer purchase agreements generally do not guarantee any
minimum purchase level, and customers often have the right to modify, reduce or cancel purchase quantities.
As a result, we may purchase inventory in anticipation of sales that do not occur. Historically, our inventory
write-offs have resulted from the circumstances above. As features and functionalities converge across our
product lines, and we introduce new products, however, we face an additional risk that customers may forego
purchases of one product we have inventoried in favor of another product with similar functionality. If we are
required to write off or write down a significant amount of inventory, our results of operations for the period
would be materially adversely affected.

Restructuring activities could disrupt our business and affect our results of operations.

We have previously taken steps, including reductions in force, office closures, and internal reorganizations

to reduce the size and cost of our operations and to better match our resources with market opportunities. We
may take similar steps in the future. These changes could be disruptive to our business and may result in the
recording of accounting charges, including inventory and technology-related write-offs, workforce reduction
costs and charges relating to consolidation of excess facilities. Substantial charges resulting from any future
restructuring activities could adversely affect our results of operations in the period in which we take such a
charge.

Our failure to manage effectively our relationships with third party service partners could adversely
impact our financial results and relationship with customers.

We rely on a number of third party service partners, both domestic and international, to complement our

global service and support resources. We rely upon these partners for certain maintenance and support
functions, as well as the installation of our equipment in some large network builds. In order to ensure the
proper installation and maintenance of our products, we must identify, train and certify qualified service
partners. Certification can be costly and time-consuming, and our partners often provide similar services for
other companies, including our competitors. We may not be able to manage effectively our relationships with
our service partners and cannot be certain that they will be able to deliver services in the manner or time
required. If our service partners are unsuccessful in delivering services:

(cid:129) we may suffer delays in recognizing revenue;

(cid:129) our services revenue and gross margin may be adversely affected; and

(cid:129) our relationship with customers could suffer.

Difficulties with service partners could cause us to transition a larger share of deployment and other
services from third parties to internal resources, thereby increasing our services overhead costs and negatively
affecting our services gross margin and results of operations.

We may incur significant costs as a result of our efforts to protect and enforce our intellectual property
rights or respond to claims of infringement from others.

Our business is dependent upon the successful protection of our proprietary technology and intellectual

property. We are subject to the risk that unauthorized parties may attempt to access, copy or otherwise obtain
and use our proprietary technology, particularly as we expand our product development into India and increase
our reliance upon contract manufacturers in Asia. These and other international operations could expose us to
a lower level of intellectual property protection than in the United States. Monitoring unauthorized use of our

24

technology is difficult, and we cannot be certain that the steps that we are taking will prevent or minimize the
risks of unauthorized use. If competitors are able to use our technology, our ability to compete effectively
could be harmed.

From time to time we have been subject to litigation and other third party intellectual property claims,
primarily alleging patent infringement. We have also been subject to third party claims arising as a result of
our indemnification obligations to customers or resellers that purchase our products or as a result of alleged
infringement relating to third party components that we include in our products. The frequency of these
assertions is increasing as patent holders, including entities that are not in our industry and that purchase
patents as an investment, use infringement assertions as a competitive tactic or as a source of additional
revenue. Intellectual property infringement claims can significantly divert the time and attention of our
personnel and result in costly litigation. These claims can also require us to pay substantial damages or
royalties, enter into costly license agreements or develop non-infringing technology. Accordingly, the costs
associated with intellectual property infringement claims could adversely affect our business, results of
operations and financial condition.

Our international operations could expose us to additional risks and result in increased operating
expense.

We market, sell and service our products globally. We have established offices around the world,
including in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region. We have
also established a major development center in India and are increasingly reliant upon overseas suppliers,
particularly in Asia, for sourcing of important components and manufacturing of our products. Our
increasingly global operations may result in increased risk to our business and could give rise to unanticipated
expense, difficulties or other effects that could adversely affect our financial results.

International operations are subject to inherent risks, including:

(cid:129) effects of changes in currency exchange rates;

(cid:129) greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable and longer collection periods;

(cid:129) difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations;

(cid:129) the impact of economic conditions in countries outside the United States;

(cid:129) less protection for intellectual property rights in some countries;

(cid:129) adverse tax and customs consequences, particularly as related to transfer-pricing issues;

(cid:129) social, political and economic instability;

(cid:129) higher incidence of corruption;

(cid:129) trade protection measures, export compliance, qualification to transact business and additional regula-

tory requirements; and

(cid:129) natural disasters, epidemics and acts of war or terrorism.

We expect that our international activities will be dynamic, and we may enter new markets and withdraw

from or reduce operations in others. These changes to our international operations may require significant
management attention and result in additional expense. In some countries, our success will depend in part on
our ability to form relationships with local partners. Our inability to identify appropriate partners or reach
mutually satisfactory arrangements for international sales of our products could impact our ability to maintain
or increase international market demand for our products.

25

Our use and reliance upon development resources in India may expose us to unanticipated costs or
liabilities.

We have a significant development center in India and, in recent years, have increased headcount and
development activity at this facility. There is no assurance that our reliance upon development resources in
India will enable us to achieve meaningful cost reductions or greater resource efficiency. Further, our
development efforts and other operations in India involve significant risks, including:

(cid:129) difficulty hiring and retaining appropriate engineering resources due to intense competition for such

resources and resulting wage inflation;

(cid:129) the knowledge transfer related to our technology and resulting exposure to misappropriation of

intellectual property or information that is proprietary to us, our customers and other third parties;

(cid:129) heightened exposure to changes in the economic, security and political conditions of India; and

(cid:129) fluctuations in currency exchange rates and tax compliance in India.

Difficulties resulting from the factors above and other risks related to our operations in India could
expose us to increased expense, impair our development efforts, harm our competitive position and damage
our reputation.

We may be exposed to unanticipated risks and additional obligations in connection with our resale of
complementary products or technology of other companies.

We have entered into agreements with strategic partners that permit us to distribute their products or

technology. We rely upon these relationships to add complementary products or technologies or to fulfill an
element of our product portfolio. As part of our strategy to diversify our product portfolio and customer base,
we may enter into additional original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or resale agreements in the future. We
may incur unanticipated costs or difficulties relating to our resale of third party products. Our third party
relationships could expose us to risks associated with delays in their development, manufacturing or delivery
of products or technology. We may also be required by customers to assume warranty, indemnity, service and
other commercial obligations greater than the commitments, if any, made to us by our technology partners.
Some of our strategic partners are relatively small companies with limited financial resources. If they are
unable to satisfy their obligations to us or our customers, we may have to expend our own resources to satisfy
these obligations. Exposure to the risks above could harm our reputation with key customers and negatively
affect our business and our results of operations.

Our exposure to the credit risks of our customers and resellers may make it difficult to collect receivables
and could adversely affect our revenue and operating results.

In the course of our sales to customers, we may have difficulty collecting receivables and could be
exposed to risks associated with uncollectible accounts. We may be exposed to similar risks relating to third
party resellers and other sales channel partners. A continued lack of liquidity in the capital markets or a
sustained period of unfavorable economic conditions may increase our exposure to credit risks. While we
monitor these situations carefully and attempt to take appropriate measures to protect ourselves, it is possible
that we may have to write down or write off doubtful accounts. Such write-downs or write-offs could
negatively affect our operating results for the period in which they occur, and, if large, could have a material
adverse effect on our revenue and operating results.

If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, we may be unable to manage our business
effectively.

Competition to attract and retain highly skilled technical and other personnel with experience in our

industry is increasing in intensity, and our employees have been the subject of targeted hiring by our
competitors. With respect to our engineering resources, we may find it particularly difficult to attract and
retain sufficiently skilled personnel in areas including data networking, Ethernet service delivery and network

26

management software engineering in certain geographic markets. We may experience difficulty retaining and
motivating existing employees and attracting qualified personnel to fill key positions. Because we rely upon
equity awards as a significant component of compensation, particularly for our executive team, a lack of
positive performance in our stock price, reduced grant levels, or changes to our compensation program may
adversely affect our ability to attract and retain key employees. In addition, none of our executive officers is
bound by an employment agreement for any specific term. It may be difficult to replace members of our
management team or other key personnel, and the loss of such individuals could be disruptive to our business.
Because we generally do not have employment contracts with our employees, we must rely upon providing
competitive compensation packages and a high-quality work environment in order to retain and motivate
employees. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, we may be unable to manage our
business effectively.

We may be adversely affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Because a significant portion of our sales is denominated in U.S. dollars, an increase in the value of the

dollar could increase the real cost to our customers of our products in markets outside the United States. In
addition, we face exposure to currency exchange rates as a result of our non-U.S. dollar denominated operating
expense in Europe, Asia and Canada. In recent years, our international operations and our reliance upon
international suppliers have grown considerably. A weakened dollar could increase the cost of local operating
expenses and procurement of raw materials where we must purchase components in foreign currencies. As a
result, we may be susceptible to negative effects of foreign exchange changes. We have previously hedged
against currency exposure associated with anticipated foreign currency cash flows and may do so in the future.
These hedging activities are intended to offset currency fluctuations on a portion of our non-U.S. dollar
denominated operating expense. There can be no assurance that these hedging instruments will be effective in
all circumstances and losses associated with these instruments may negatively affect our results of operations.

Our products incorporate software and other technology under license from third parties and our business
would be adversely affected if this technology was no longer available to us on commercially reasonable
terms.

We integrate third-party software and other technology into our embedded operating system, network
management system tools and other products. Licenses for this technology may not be available or continue to
be available to us on commercially reasonable terms. Third party licensors may insist on unreasonable
financial or other terms in connection with our use of such technology. Difficulties with third party technology
licensors could result in termination of such licenses, which may result in significant costs and require us to
obtain or develop a substitute technology. Difficulty obtaining and maintaining third-party technology licenses
may disrupt development of our products and increase our costs, which could harm our business.

Our business is dependent upon the proper functioning of our internal business processes and informa-
tion systems and modifications may disrupt our business, operating processes and internal controls.

The successful operation of various internal business processes and information systems is critical to the

efficient operation of our business. If these systems fail or are interrupted, our operations may be adversely
affected and operating results could be harmed. In recent years, we have experienced considerable growth in
transaction volume, headcount and reliance upon international resources in our operations. Our business
processes and information systems need to be sufficiently scalable to support the growth of our business. To
improve the efficiency of our operations and achieve greater automation, we routinely upgrade business
processes and information systems. Significant changes to our processes and systems expose us to a number of
operational risks. These changes may be costly and disruptive, and could impose substantial demands on
management time. These changes may also require the modification of a number of internal control
procedures. Any material disruption, malfunction or similar problems with our business processes or informa-
tion systems, or the transition to new processes and systems, could have a negative effect on the operation of
our business and our results of operations.

27

Strategic acquisitions and investments may expose us to increased costs and unexpected liabilities.

We may acquire or make strategic investments in other companies to expand the markets we address,
diversify our customer base or acquire or accelerate the development of technology or products. To do so, we
may use cash, issue equity that would dilute our current stockholders’ ownership, incur debt or assume
indebtedness. These transactions involve numerous risks, including:

(cid:129) significant integration costs;

(cid:129) integration and rationalization of operations, products, technologies and personnel;

(cid:129) diversion of management’s attention;

(cid:129) difficulty completing projects of the acquired company and costs related to in-process projects;

(cid:129) the loss of key employees;

(cid:129) ineffective internal controls over financial reporting;

(cid:129) dependence on unfamiliar suppliers or manufacturers;

(cid:129) exposure to unanticipated liabilities, including intellectual property infringement claims; and

(cid:129) adverse tax or accounting effects including amortization expense related to intangible assets and charges

associated with impairment of goodwill.

As a result of these and other risks, our acquisitions or strategic investments may not reap the intended

benefits and may ultimately have a negative impact on our business, results of operation and financial
condition.

Changes in government regulation affecting the communications industry and the businesses of our cus-
tomers could harm our prospects and operating results.

The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, has jurisdiction over the U.S. communications
industry and similar agencies have jurisdiction over the communication industries in other countries. Many of
our largest customers are subject to the rules and regulations of these agencies. Changes in regulatory
requirements in the United States or other countries could inhibit service providers from investing in their
communications network infrastructures or introducing new services. These changes could adversely affect the
sale of our products and services. Changes in regulatory tariff requirements or other regulations relating to
pricing or terms of carriage on communications networks could slow the development or expansion of network
infrastructures and adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.

Governmental regulations affecting the import or export of products, and environmental regulations relat-
ing to our products, could negatively affect our revenues.

The United States and various foreign governments have imposed controls, export license requirements

and restrictions on the import or export of some technologies. Governmental regulation of imports or exports,
or our failure to obtain required import or export approval for our products, could harm our international and
domestic sales and adversely affect our revenues. Failure to comply with such regulations could result in
penalties, costs and restrictions on export privileges. In addition, our operations may be negatively affected by
environmental regulations, such as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of
the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) that have been
adopted by the European Union. Compliance with these and similar environmental regulations may increase
our cost of building and selling our products, make it difficult to obtain supply of compliant components or
require us to write off non-compliant inventory, which could have a material adverse effect on our business
and operating results.

28

We may be required to write down long-lived assets and a significant impairment charge would adversely
affect our operating results.

At October 31, 2009, we had $154.7 million in long-lived assets, which includes $60.8 million of
intangible assets on our balance sheet. Valuation of our long-lived assets requires us to make assumptions
about future sales prices and sales volumes for our products. Our assumptions are used to forecast future,
undiscounted cash flows. Given the current economic environment, uncertainties regarding the duration and
severity of these conditions, forecasting future business is difficult and subject to modification. If actual market
conditions differ or our forecasts change, we may be required to reassess long-lived assets and could record an
impairment charge. Any impairment charge relating to long-lived assets would have the effect of decreasing
our earnings or increasing our losses in such period. If we are required to take a substantial impairment
charge, our operating results could be materially adversely affected in such period.

Failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could have a material adverse
effect on our business, operating results and stock price.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that we include in our annual report a report
containing management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of
the end of our fiscal year and a statement as to whether or not such internal controls are effective. Compliance
with these requirements has resulted in, and is likely to continue to result in, significant costs and the
commitment of time and operational resources. Changes in our business will necessitate ongoing modifications
to our internal control systems, processes and information systems. Increases in our global operations or
expansion into new regions could pose additional challenges to our internal control systems as these operations
become more significant. We cannot be certain that our current design for internal control over financial
reporting will be sufficient to enable management or our independent registered public accounting firm to
determine that our internal controls are effective for any period, or on an ongoing basis. If we or our
independent registered public accounting firms are unable to assert that our internal controls over financial
reporting are effective, our business may be harmed. Market perception of our financial condition and the
trading price of our stock may be adversely affected, and customer perception of our business may suffer.

Obligations associated with our outstanding indebtedness on our convertible notes may adversely affect
our business.

At October 31, 2009, indebtedness on our outstanding convertible notes totaled $798.0 million in

aggregate principal. Our indebtedness and repayment obligations could have important negative consequences,
including:

(cid:129) increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;

(cid:129) limiting our ability to obtain additional financing, particularly in light of unfavorable conditions in the

credit markets;

(cid:129) reducing the availability of cash resources for other purposes, including capital expenditures;

(cid:129) limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the markets in which

we compete; and

(cid:129) placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage to competitors that have better access to capital

resources.

We may also add additional indebtedness such as equipment loans, working capital lines of credit and

other long-term debt.

Our stock price is volatile.

Our common stock price has experienced substantial volatility in the past and may remain volatile in the

future. Volatility in our stock price can arise as a result of a number of the factors discussed in this “Risk
Factors” section. During fiscal 2009, our stock price ranged from a high of $16.64 per share to a low of $4.98

29

per share. The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the
market price of many technology companies, with such volatility often unrelated to the operating performance
of these companies. Divergence between our actual or anticipated financial results and published expectations
of analysts can cause significant swings in our stock price. Our stock price can also be affected by
announcements that we, our competitors, or our customers may make, particularly announcements related to
acquisitions or other significant transactions. Our common stock is included in a number of market indices and
any change in the composition of these indices to exclude our company would adversely affect our stock price.
On December 18, 2009, we were removed from the S&P 500, a widely-followed index. These factors, as well
as conditions affecting the general economy or financial markets, may materially adversely affect the market
price of our common stock in the future.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Item 2. Properties

As of October 31, 2009, all of our properties are leased. Our principal executive offices are located in
Linthicum, Maryland. We lease thirty-eight facilities related to our ongoing operations. These include five
buildings located at various sites near Linthicum, Maryland, including an engineering facility, two supply
chain and logistics facilities, and two administrative and sales facilities. We have engineering and/or service
facilities located in San Jose, California; Alpharetta, Georgia; Spokane, Washington; Kanata, Canada; and
Gurgaon, India. We also maintain a sales and service facility in London, England. In addition, we lease various
small offices in the United States, Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia to support our sales and services
operations. We believe the facilities we are now using are adequate and suitable for our business requirements.

We lease a number of properties that we no longer occupy. As part of our restructuring costs, we provide
for the estimated cost of the future net lease expense for these facilities. The cost is based on the fair value of
future minimum lease payments under contractual obligations offset by the fair value of the estimated future
sublease payments that we may receive. As of October 31, 2009, our accrued restructuring liability related to
these properties was $9.4 million. If actual market conditions relating to the use of these facilities are less
favorable than those projected by management, additional restructuring costs associated with these facilities
may be required. For additional information regarding our lease obligations, see Note 20 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

On May 29, 2008, Graywire, LLC filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Georgia against Ciena and four other defendants, alleging, among other things, that certain of the
parties’ products infringe U.S. Patent 6,542,673 (the “’673 Patent”), relating to an identifier system and
components for optical assemblies. The complaint, which seeks injunctive relief and damages, was served
upon Ciena on January 20, 2009. Ciena filed an answer to the complaint and counterclaims against Graywire
on March 26, 2009, and an amended answer and counterclaims on April 17, 2009. On April 27, 2009, Ciena
and certain other defendants filed an application for inter partes reexamination of the ’673 Patent with the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “PTO”). On the same date, Ciena and the other defendants filed a
motion to stay the case pending reexamination of all of the patents-in-suit. On July 17, 2009, the district court
granted the defendants’ motion to stay the case. On July 23, 2009, the PTO granted the defendants’ application
for reexamination with respect to certain claims of the ’673 Patent. We believe that we have valid defenses to
the lawsuit and intend to defend it vigorously in the event the stay of the case is lifted.

As a result of our June 2002 merger with ONI Systems Corp., we became a defendant in a securities
class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in August
2001. The complaint named ONI, certain former ONI officers, and certain underwriters of ONI’s initial public
offering (IPO) as defendants, and alleges, among other things, that the underwriter defendants violated the
securities laws by failing to disclose alleged compensation arrangements (such as undisclosed commissions or

30

stock stabilization practices) in ONI’s registration statement and by engaging in manipulative practices to
artificially inflate ONI’s stock price after the IPO. The complaint also alleges that ONI and the named former
officers violated the securities laws by failing to disclose the underwriters’ alleged compensation arrangements
and manipulative practices. No specific amount of damages has been claimed. Similar complaints have been
filed against more than 300 other issuers that have had initial public offerings since 1998, and all of these
actions have been included in a single coordinated proceeding. The former ONI officers have been dismissed
from the action without prejudice. In July 2004, following mediated settlement negotiations, the plaintiffs, the
issuer defendants (including Ciena), and their insurers entered into a settlement agreement. The settlement
agreement did not require Ciena to pay any amount toward the settlement or to make any other payments.
While the partial settlement was pending approval, the plaintiffs continued to litigate their cases against the
underwriter defendants. In October 2004, the district court certified a class with respect to the Section 10(b)
claims in six “focus cases” selected out of all of the consolidated cases, which cases did not include Ciena,
and which decision was appealed by the underwriter defendants to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit. On February 15, 2005, the district court granted the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement
agreement, subject to certain modifications, and on August 31, 2005, the district court issued a preliminary
order approving the revised stipulated settlement agreement. On December 5, 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Second Circuit vacated the district court’s grant of class certification in the six focus cases. On April 6,
2007, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ petition for rehearing. In light of the Second Circuit’s decision, the
parties agreed that the settlement could not be approved. On June 25, 2007, the district court approved a
stipulation filed by the plaintiffs and the issuer defendants terminating the proposed settlement. On August 14,
2007, the plaintiffs filed second amended complaints against the defendants in the six focus cases. On
September 27, 2007, the plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification based on their amended complaints and
allegations. On March 26, 2008, the district court denied motions to dismiss the second amended complaints
filed by the defendants in the six focus cases, except as to Section 11 claims raised by those plaintiffs who
sold their securities for a price in excess of the initial offering price and those who purchased outside the
previously certified class period. Briefing on the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification in the focus cases was
completed in May 2008. That motion was withdrawn without prejudice on October 10, 2008. On April 2,
2009, a stipulation and agreement of settlement between the plaintiffs, issuer defendants and underwriter
defendants was submitted to the Court for preliminary approval. The Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for
preliminary approval and preliminarily certified the settlement classes on June 10, 2009. The settlement
fairness hearing was held on September 10, 2009. On October 6, 2009, the Court entered an opinion granting
final approval to the settlement and directing that the Clerk of the Court close these actions. Notices of appeal
of the opinion granting final approval have been filed. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and
because the settlement remains subject to appeal, the ultimate outcome of the matter is uncertain.

In addition to the matters described above, we are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and
litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these
matters will have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

31

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of

Equity Securities

(a) Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CIEN.” The

following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ
Global Select Market, for the fiscal periods indicated.

Price Range of
Common Stock
High
Low

Fiscal Year 2008

First Quarter ended January 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $48.82
Second Quarter ended April 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35.82
Third Quarter ended July 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35.14
Fourth Quarter ended October 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20.10

Fiscal Year 2009

First Quarter ended January 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9.79
Second Quarter ended April 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.28
Third Quarter ended July 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.51
Fourth Quarter ended October 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16.64

$21.40
$24.00
$19.30
$ 6.60

$ 5.07
$ 4.98
$ 8.45
$11.08

As of December 11, 2009, there were approximately 949 holders of record of our common stock and
92,038,629 shares of common stock outstanding. We have never paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We
intend to retain earnings for use in our business and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the
foreseeable future.

32

The following graph shows a comparison of cumulative total returns for an investment in our common
stock, the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index and the S&P 500 Index from October 31, 2004 to October 31,
2009. The NASDAQ Telecommunications Index contains securities of NASDAQ-listed companies classified
according to the Industry Classification Benchmark as Telecommunications and Telecommunications Equip-
ment. They include providers of fixed-line and mobile telephone services, and makers and distributors of high-
technology communication products. This graph is not deemed to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to the
liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the graph shall not be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into any prior or subsequent filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933 or the
Exchange Act.

$300.00

CIEN

$250.00

NASDAQ Telecomunications

S&P 500

$200.00

$150.00

$100.00

$50.00

$-

Oct-04

Apr-05

Oct-05

Apr-06

Oct-06

Apr-07

Oct-07

Apr-08

Oct-08

Apr-09

Oct-09

Assumes $100 invested in Ciena Corporation, the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index and the S&P 500

Index on October 31, 2004 with all dividends reinvested at month-end.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) Not applicable.

33

Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data

The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7,

“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consoli-
dated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data.” We have a 52 or 53 week fiscal year, which ends on the Saturday nearest to the last day of October in
each year. For purposes of financial statement presentation, each fiscal year is described as having ended on
October 31. Fiscal 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009 consisted of 52 weeks and fiscal 2007 consisted of 53 weeks.

Balance Sheet Data:

2005

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term convertible notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term convertible notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stockholders’ equity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Statement of Operations Data:

$ 358,012
$ 579,531
$ 155,944
$1,675,229
$
$ 648,752
$ 939,862
$ 735,367

2006

2008

Year Ended October 31,
2007
(In thousands)
$ 892,061
$ 822,185
$
33,946
$2,416,273
— $ 542,262
$ 800,000
$1,566,119
$ 850,154

$ 550,669
$ 366,336
$ 156,171
$2,024,594
$
$ 798,000
$1,025,645
$ 998,949

$ 220,164
$ 628,393
$ 351,407
$1,839,713

$ 842,262
$1,086,087
$ 753,626

2009

$ 485,705
$ 563,183
$
8,031
$1,504,383
—
$ 798,000
$1,048,545
$ 455,838

— $

— $

Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 427,257
291,067

2005

2006

Year Ended October 31,
2007
(In thousands, except per share data)
$779,769
417,500

$564,056
306,275

$902,448
451,521

2008

2009

$ 652,629
367,799

Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

136,190

257,781

362,269

450,927

284,830

Operating expenses:

Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling and marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring (recoveries) costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill impairment
Long-lived asset impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on lease settlement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income (loss) from operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and other income, net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Realized loss due to impairment of marketable debt investments . . . . . . .
Gain (loss) on cost method investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on extinguishment of debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain (loss) on equity investments, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income (loss) before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision (benefit) for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

137,245
115,022
36,317
38,782
18,018
176,600
45,862
—

567,846

(431,656)
31,294
(28,413)
—
—
3,882
(9,486)

(434,379)
1,320

111,069
104,434
44,445
25,181
15,671
—
—
(11,648)

127,296
118,015
50,248
25,350
(2,435)
—
—
(4,871)

289,152

313,603

(31,371)
50,245
(24,165)
—
—
7,052
215

1,976
1,381

48,666
76,483
(26,996)
(13,013)
—
—
592

85,732
2,944

175,023
152,018
68,639
32,264
1,110
—
—
—

429,054

21,873
36,762
(12,927)
(5,101)
—
932
—

41,539
2,645

190,319
134,527
47,509
24,826
11,207
455,673
—
—

864,061

(579,231)
9,487
(7,406)
—
(5,328)
—
—

(582,478)
(1,324)

Net income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(435,699)

Basic net income (loss) per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Diluted net income (loss) per potential common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

$

(5.30)

(5.30)

$

$

$

595

$ 82,788

$ 38,894

$(581,154)

0.01

0.01

$

$

0.97

0.87

$

$

0.44

0.42

$

$

(6.37)

(6.37)

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding . . . . . . .

82,170

82,170

83,840

85,011

85,525

89,146

99,604

110,605

91,167

91,167

34

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This section contains statements that discuss future events or expectations, projections of results of
operations or financial condition, changes in the markets for our products and services, or other “forward-
looking” information. Our “forward-looking” information is based on various factors and was derived using
numerous assumptions. In some cases, you can identify these “forward-looking statements” by words like
“may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or
“continue” or the negative of those words and other comparable words. You should be aware that these
statements only reflect our current predictions and beliefs. These statements are subject to known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors, and actual events or results may differ materially. Important factors that
could cause our actual results to be materially different from the forward-looking statements are disclosed
throughout this report, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of this annual
report. You should review these risk factors for a more complete understanding of the risks associated with an
investment in our securities. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our “Selected Consolidated
Financial Data” and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual
report.

Overview

We are a provider of communications networking equipment, software and services that support the
transport, switching, aggregation and management of voice, video and data traffic. Our optical service delivery
and carrier Ethernet service delivery products are used individually, or as part of an integrated solution, in
communications networks operated by communications service providers, cable operators, governments and
enterprises around the globe.

We are a network specialist targeting the transition of disparate, legacy communications networks to
converged, next-generation architectures, better able to handle increased traffic and deliver more efficiently a
broader mix of high-bandwidth communications services. Our products, along with their embedded, network
element software and unified service and transport management, enable service providers to efficiently and
cost-effectively deliver critical enterprise and consumer-oriented communication services. Together with our
professional support and consulting services, our product offerings seek to offer solutions that address the
business challenges and network needs of our customers. Our customers face an increasingly challenging and
rapidly changing environment that requires them to quickly adapt their business strategies and deliver new,
revenue-creating services. By improving network productivity, reducing operating costs and providing the
flexibility to enable new and integrated service offerings, our offerings create business and operational value
for our customers.

Effect of Decline in Market Conditions

Our results of operations for fiscal 2009 described in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section reflect the weakness, volatility and uncertainty
presented by the global market conditions that we encountered during the year. Our fiscal 2009 results reflect
cautious spending among our largest customers during fiscal 2009, as they sought to conserve capital, reduce
debt or address uncertainties or changes in their own business models brought on by broader market
challenges. As a result, we experienced lower demand across our customer base in all geographies. We also
experienced lengthening sales cycles, customer delays in network build-outs, slowing deployments and deferral
of new technology adoption. We have also experienced an increasingly competitive marketplace and a
heightened customer focus on pricing and return on investment. While we have started to see some indications
that conditions in North America may be improving, we remain uncertain as to how long unfavorable
macroeconomic and industry conditions will persist and the magnitude of their effects on our business and
results of operations.

35

Strategic Initiatives

Despite difficult market conditions, we continue to believe in our longer-term market opportunities and
the potential represented by the underlying drivers of future demand for our hardware, software and services
offerings in our target markets. We believe consumer and enterprise use of, and increased dependence upon, a
growing variety of broadband applications and services will continue to consume bandwidth, requiring our
customers to invest in next-generation network infrastructures that are more efficient and robust, and better
able to handle higher capacity multiservice traffic and increased transmission rates. As a result, we continued
to strategically invest in our business during fiscal 2009, prioritizing spending on key product and technology
initiatives that we believe will strategically position us for longer-term growth when market conditions recover.
In fact, research and development expense increased year over year despite the significant reduction in revenue
during fiscal 2009 and the restructuring activities described below. We expect to continue to invest
significantly in research and development. Specifically, our ongoing development is focused upon bringing
several new platforms to market during fiscal 2010 and our broader development investments are focused
upon:

(cid:129) Data-optimized switching solutions and evolution of our CoreDirector family and 5400 family of

reconfigurable switching solutions;

(cid:129) Extending and increasing capacity of our converged optical transport service delivery portfolio,

including 100G transport technologies and capabilities;

(cid:129) Expanding our carrier Ethernet service delivery portfolio, including larger Ethernet aggregation

switches; and

(cid:129) Extending the value of our network management software platform across our product portfolio.

These broader development initiatives remain focused on delivering upon our vision of transforming customer
networks to adapt and scale, manage unpredictability and eliminate barriers to new service offerings. This
vision of simplified, highly-automated networks is based on the following technologies:

(cid:129) Programmable network elements, including software-programmable hardware platforms and interfaces
that use our FlexiPort technology, to enable on-demand and automated support for multiple services
and applications;

(cid:129) Common service-aware operating system and unified transport and service management software for an

integrated solution ensuring all network elements work seamlessly together for rapid delivery of
services and applications; and

(cid:129) Optimized carrier Ethernet technology — our True Carrier EthernetTM — for enhanced management,

faster provisioning, higher reliability and support for a wider variety of services.

Through these capabilities, we seek to enable customers to automate delivery and management of a broad mix
of services over networks that offer enhanced flexibility and are more cost-effective to deploy, scale and
manage.

Pending Acquisition of Nortel Metro Ethernet Networks (“MEN”) Assets

We believe that our pending acquisition of substantially all of the optical networking and carrier Ethernet

assets of Nortel’s (“MEN”) business will accelerate the execution of our corporate and research and
development strategy, and will create a leader in next-generation, automated optical Ethernet networks.

Following our emergence as the winning bidder in the bankruptcy auction, we agreed to acquire

substantially all of the optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s MEN business for
$530 million in cash and $239 million in aggregate principal amount of 6% senior convertible notes due June
2017. The terms of the notes to be issued upon closing are set forth in Note 22 of the Consolidated Financial

36

Statements found under Item 8 of Part II of this annual report. Nortel’s product and technology assets to be
acquired include:

(cid:129) long-haul optical transport portfolio;

(cid:129) metro optical Ethernet switching and transport solutions;

(cid:129) Ethernet transport, aggregation and switching technology;

(cid:129) multiservice SONET/SDH product families; and

(cid:129) network management software products.

In addition to these products, the acquired operations also include network implementation and support
services. The assets to be acquired generated approximately $1.36 billion in revenue for Nortel in fiscal 2008
and approximately $556 million (unaudited) in the first six months of Nortel’s fiscal 2009.

The pending acquisition encompasses a business that is a leading provider of next-generation, 40G and

100G optical transport technology with a significant, global installed base. The acquired transport technology
allows network operators to upgrade their existing 10G networks to 40G capability, quadrupling capacity
without the need for new fiber deployments or complex network re-engineering. In addition to transport
capability, the optical platforms acquired include traffic switching and aggregation capability for traditional
protocols such as SONET/SDH as well as newer packet protocols such as Ethernet. A suite of software
products used to manage networks built from these technologies is also part of the transaction.

We believe that the transaction provides an opportunity to significantly transform Ciena and strengthen

our position as a leader in next-generation, automated optical Ethernet networking. We believe that the
additional resources, expanded geographic reach, new and broader customer relationships, and deeper portfolio
of complementary network solutions derived from the transaction will augment Ciena’s growth. We also expect
that the transaction will add scale, enable operating model synergies and provide an opportunity to optimize
our research and development investment. We expect these benefits of the transaction will help Ciena to better
compete with traditional, larger network vendors.

We expect to make employment offers to at least 2,000 Nortel employees to become part of Ciena’s
global team of network specialists. The transaction will significantly enhance our existing Canadian-based
development resources, making Ottawa our largest product and development center.

Given the structure of the transaction as an asset carve-out from Nortel, we expect that the transaction

will result in a costly and complex integration with a number of operational risks. We expect to incur
integration-related costs of approximately $180 million, with the majority of these costs to be incurred in the
first 12 months following the completion of the transaction. This estimate principally reflects expense
associated with equipment and information technology costs, transaction expense, and consulting and third
party service fees associated with integration. This amount does not give effect to any expense related to,
among other things, facilities restructuring or inventory obsolescence charges. As a result, the integration
expense we incur and recognize for financial statement purposes could be significantly higher. Any material
delays or unanticipated additional expense may harm our business and results of operations. In addition to
these integration costs, we also expect to incur significant transition services expense, and we will rely upon
an affiliate of Nortel to perform certain operational functions during an interim period following closing not to
exceed two years.

We expect this pending transaction to close in the first calendar quarter of 2010. If the closing does not
take place on or before April 30, 2010, the applicable asset sale agreements may be terminated by either party.
Ciena has been granted early termination of the antitrust waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and
the Canadian Competition Act. On December 2, 2009, the bankruptcy courts in the U.S. and Canada approved
the asset sale agreement relating to Ciena’s acquisition of substantially all of the North American, Caribbean
and Latin American and Asian optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s MEN business.
Completion of the transaction remains subject to information and consultation with employee representatives

37

and employees in certain international jurisdictions, an additional regional regulatory clearance and customary
closing conditions.

As a result of the aggregate consideration to be paid as described above, we will incur significant
additional indebtedness and will materially reduce our existing cash balance. Except where specifically
indicated, the discussion in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations” does not give effect to the possible consummation of this pending transaction and the effect on
our results of operations.

Goodwill Impairment

Based on a combination of factors, including the macroeconomic conditions described above and a

sustained decline in our common stock price and market capitalization below our net book value, we
conducted an interim impairment assessment of goodwill during the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The
conclusion of this assessment was the write-off of all goodwill remaining on our balance sheet, resulting in an
impairment charge of $455.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. This impairment charge significantly
affected our operating expense and operating and net loss for fiscal 2009. It will not result in any current or
future cash expenditures. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” below for more information
regarding this assessment.

Restructuring Activities

During the second quarter of fiscal 2009, we took action to effect a headcount reduction of approximately

200 employees or 9% of our global workforce, with headcount reductions implemented across our organiza-
tions and geographies. As part of this action, we closed our Acton, Massachusetts research and development
facility during the third quarter. We expect these steps will help better align our operating expense with market
opportunities and the development strategy above. We incurred an $11.2 million charge in fiscal 2009,
principally consisting of $4.1 million for employee-related restructuring, $3.4 million for Acton facilities-
related restructuring, and $3.7 million related to the revision of previous estimates.

Financial Results

Revenue for the fourth quarter was $176.3 million, which represented a sequential increase of 7.0% from

$164.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and a 1.9% decrease from $179.7 million in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2008. The sequential quarterly increase in revenue reflects a $6.9 million increase in carrier
Ethernet service delivery revenue, principally related to sales of carrier Ethernet switching and aggregation
products in support of wireless backhaul deployments, including, in large part, 4G WiMax. Revenue for the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 also benefited from a $2.3 million increase in optical service delivery revenue,
primarily reflecting increased sales of CN4200, and a $2.4 million increase in service revenue.

In spite of slight improvements in revenue in the second half of fiscal 2009, and improved sales of carrier

Ethernet switching and aggregation products during fiscal 2009, the unfavorable market conditions and
reductions in customer spending described above resulted in significant declines in annual revenue as
compared to fiscal 2008. Total revenue decreased from $902.4 million in fiscal 2008 to $652.6 million in
fiscal 2009.

(cid:129) Fiscal 2009 revenue reflects a $258.9 million decrease in sales of our optical service delivery products;

(cid:129) Revenue from the U.S. for fiscal 2009 was $419.4 million, a decrease from $590.9 million in fiscal

2008;

(cid:129) International revenue for fiscal 2009 was $233.2 million, a decrease from $311.6 million in fiscal 2008;

(cid:129) As a percentage of revenue, international revenue was 35.7% during the fiscal 2009, a slight increase

from 34.5% in fiscal 2008; and

38

(cid:129) For fiscal 2009, one customer — AT&T representing 19.6% of revenue — accounted for greater than
10% of revenue. This compares to 2008, when two customers — AT&T representing 25.2%, and BT
representing 12.6% of revenue — accounted for greater than 10% of our revenue.

Gross margin for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was 44.0%, down from 45.3% in the third quarter of

fiscal 2009. Gross margin for fiscal 2009 was 43.6%, as compared to 50.0% in fiscal 2008. Product gross
margin was 45.9% in fiscal 2009, a decrease from 53.1% in fiscal 2008. Gross margin decreases during fiscal
2009 reflect the effect of increased competition, including increased pricing pressure across our optical
transport products, and less favorable product and geographic mix, including fewer sales of core switching
products as a percentage of total revenue. Gross margin for fiscal 2009 was also negatively affected by
increased charges related to losses on committed customer sales contracts and higher charges relating to
warranty. These additional costs of goods sold were partially offset by product cost reductions.

Operating expense for fiscal 2009 was $864.1 million, which includes a goodwill impairment charge of
$455.7 million, compared to $429.1 million in fiscal 2008. Annual operating expense related to research and
development, sales and marketing and general and administrative decreased by $23.3 million in fiscal 2009.
This decrease reflects our efforts to manage our workforce and constrain general and administrative and sales
and marketing expenses in the face of weaker market conditions. Exclusive of the goodwill impairment, we
expect operating expense to increase from fiscal 2009, particularly if market conditions improve and we seek
to fund and support the growth of our business.

Our loss from operations for fiscal 2009 was $579.2 million. This compares to income from operations of

$21.9 million in fiscal 2008. Our net loss for fiscal 2009 was $581.2 million, or $6.37 per share. This
compares to net income of $38.9 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, in fiscal 2008. Net loss and operating
loss reflect the effect of market conditions and lower customer spending during fiscal 2009 and a goodwill
impairment charge during the second quarter of fiscal 2009, each as described above.

We generated $7.4 million in cash from operations during fiscal 2009 as compared to $117.6 million
during fiscal 2008. Cash from operations during fiscal 2009 consisted of $3.8 million in cash from net income
(adjusted for non-cash charges) and $3.6 million resulting from changes in working capital. Cash from
operations during fiscal 2008 consisted of $168.7 million in cash from net income (adjusted for non-cash
charges) and a $51.1 million net decrease in cash resulting from changes in working capital.

At October 31, 2009, we had $485.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and $571.2 million of short-

term and long-term investments in marketable debt securities.

As of October 31, 2009, headcount was 2,163, a decrease from 2,203 at October 31, 2008 and an increase

from 1,797 at October 31, 2007.

Results of Operations

Our results of operations for fiscal 2008 include the operations of World Wide Packets (“WWP”) only

after the March 3, 2008 acquisition date.

Revenue

We derive revenue from sales of our products and services, which we discuss in the following three major

groupings:

1. Optical Service Delivery.

Included in product revenue, this revenue grouping reflects sales of

our transport and switching products and legacy data networking products and related software. This
revenue grouping was previously referred to as our “converged Ethernet infrastructure” products.

2. Carrier Ethernet Service Delivery.

Included in product revenue, this revenue grouping reflects

sales of our service delivery and aggregation switches, broadband access products, and the related
software.

39

3. Global Network Services.

Included in services revenue are sales of installation, deployment,

maintenance support, consulting and training activities.

A sizable portion of our revenue continues to come from sales to a small number of communications

service providers. As a result, our revenues are closely tied to the prospects, performance, and financial
condition of our largest customers and are significantly affected by market-wide changes, including reductions
in enterprise and consumer spending, that affect the businesses and level of infrastructure-related spending by
communications service providers. Our contracts do not have terms that obligate these customers to purchase
any minimum or specific amounts of equipment or services. Because their spending may be unpredictable and
sporadic, and their purchases may result in the recognition or deferral of significant amounts of revenue in a
given quarter, our revenue can fluctuate on a quarterly basis. Our concentration of revenue increases the risk
of quarterly fluctuations in revenue and operating results and can exacerbate our exposure to reductions in
spending or changes in network strategy involving one or more of our significant customers. In particular,
some of our customers are pursuing efforts to outsource the management and operation of their networks, or
have indicated a procurement strategy to reduce the number of vendors from which they purchase equipment.

Given current market conditions and the effect of lower demand in fiscal 2009, as well as changes in the
mix of our revenue toward products with shorter customer lead times, the percentage of our quarterly revenue
relating to orders placed in that quarter has increased in comparison to prior periods. Lower levels of backlog
orders and an increase in the percentage of quarterly revenue relating to orders placed in that quarter could
result in more variability and less predictability in our quarterly results.

Cost of Goods Sold

Product cost of goods sold consists primarily of amounts paid to third-party contract manufacturers,

component costs, direct compensation costs and overhead, shipping and logistics costs associated with
manufacturing-related operations, warranty and other contractual obligations, royalties, license fees, amortiza-
tion of intangible assets, cost of excess and obsolete inventory and, when applicable, estimated losses on
committed customer contracts.

Services cost of goods sold consists primarily of direct and third-party costs, including personnel costs,
associated with provision of services including installation, deployment, maintenance support, consulting and
training activities, and, when applicable, estimated losses on committed customer contracts.

Gross Margin

Gross margin continues to be susceptible to quarterly fluctuation due to a number of factors. Product

gross margin can vary significantly depending upon the mix of products and customers in a given fiscal
quarter. Gross margin can also be affected by volume of orders, our ability to drive product cost reductions,
geographic mix, the level of pricing pressure we encounter, our introduction of new products or entry into new
markets, charges for excess and obsolete inventory and changes in warranty costs.

Service gross margin can be affected by the mix of customers and services, particularly the mix between

deployment and maintenance services, geographic mix and the timing and extent of any investments in internal
resources to support this business.

Operating Expense

Research and development expense primarily consists of salaries and related employee expense (including

share-based compensation expense), prototype costs relating to design, development, testing of our products,
and third-party consulting costs.

Sales and marketing expense primarily consists of salaries, commissions and related employee expense

(including share-based compensation expense), and sales and marketing support expense, including travel,
demonstration units, trade show expense, and third-party consulting costs.

40

General and administrative expense primarily consists of salaries and related employee expense (including

share-based compensation expense), and costs for third-party consulting and other services.

Amortization of intangible assets primarily reflects purchased technology and customer relationships from

our acquisitions.

Fiscal 2008 compared to Fiscal 2009

Revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in revenue, cost of goods

sold and gross profit for the periods indicated:

Fiscal Year

2008

%*

2009

%*

Increase
(Decrease)

%**

Revenue:

Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $791,415
111,033
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

87.7
12.3

$547,522
105,107

83.9
16.1

$(243,893)
(5,926)

(30.8)
(5.3)

Total revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

902,448

100.0

652,629

100.0

(249,819)

(27.7)

Costs:

Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

371,238
80,283

Total cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

451,521

Gross profit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $450,927

41.1
8.9

50.0

50.0

296,170
71,629

367,799

$284,830

45.4
11.0

56.4

43.6

(75,068)
(8,654)

(20.2)
(10.8)

(83,722)

(18.5)

$(166,097)

(36.8)

* Denotes % of total revenue

** Denotes % change from 2008 to 2009

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in product revenue, product

cost of goods sold and product gross profit for the periods indicated:

Product revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $791,415
371,238
Product cost of goods sold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100.0
46.9

$547,522
296,170

100.0
54.1

$(243,893)
(75,068)

Fiscal Year

2008

%*

2009

%*

Increase
(Decrease)

%**

(30.8)
(20.2)

Product gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $420,177

53.1

$251,352

45.9

$(168,825)

(40.2)

* Denotes % of product revenue

** Denotes % change from 2008 to 2009

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in service revenue, service

cost of goods sold and service gross profit (loss) for the periods indicated:

Service revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $111,033
80,283
Service cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100.0
72.3

$105,107
71,629

100.0
68.1

Fiscal Year

2008

%*

2009

%*

Increase
(Decrease)

$(5,926)
(8,654)

%**

(5.3)
(10.8)

Service gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 30,750

27.7

$ 33,478

31.9

$ 2,728

8.9

* Denotes % of service revenue

** Denotes % change from 2008 to 2009

41

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in distribution of revenue

for the periods indicated:

Optical service delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $731,260
60,155
Carrier Ethernet service delivery . . . . . . . . . .
111,033
Global network services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2008

Fiscal Year

%*

81.0
6.7
12.3

2009

$472,410
75,112
105,107

%*

72.4
11.5
16.1

Increase
(Decrease)

$(258,850)
14,957
(5,926)

%**

(35.4)
24.9
(5.3)

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $902,448

100.0

$652,629

100.0

$(249,819)

(27.7)

* Denotes % of total revenue

** Denotes % change from 2008 to 2009

Revenue from sales to customers outside of the United States is reflected as International in the

geographic distribution of revenue below. The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the
changes in geographic distribution of revenue for the periods indicated:

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $590,868
311,580
International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2008

Fiscal Year

%*

65.5
34.5

2009

$419,405
233,224

%*

64.3
35.7

Increase
(Decrease)

$(171,463)
(78,356)

%**

(29.0)
(25.1)

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $902,448

100.0

$652,629

100.0

$(249,819)

(27.7)

* Denotes % of total revenue

** Denotes % change from 2008 to 2009

Certain customers each accounted for at least 10% of our revenue for the periods indicated (in thousands,

except percentage data) as follows:

AT&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $227,737
113,981
BT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $341,718

25.2
12.6

37.8

$128,233
n/a

$128,233

2008

Fiscal Year
%*

2009

%*

19.6
—

19.6

n/a Denotes revenue representing less than 10% of total revenue for the period

* Denotes % of total revenue

Revenue

(cid:129) Product revenue decreased primarily due to a $258.9 million decrease in sales of our optical service

delivery products. Lower optical service delivery revenue reflects decreases of $108.1 million in sales
of core transport products, $104.8 million in sales of core switching products, and $46.5 million in
sales of legacy data networking and metro transport products. This decline was partially offset by a
$15.0 million increase in revenue from our carrier Ethernet service delivery products, reflecting a
$34.7 million increase in sales of our switching and aggregation products and a $19.7 million decrease
in sales of our broadband access products.

(cid:129) Services revenue decreased due to a $10.9 million decrease in deployment services due to lower sales

volume and installation activity. This decrease was partially offset by a $5.0 million increase in
maintenance and support services.

(cid:129) United States revenue decreased primarily due to a $180.8 million decrease in sales of our optical

service delivery products. Lower optical service delivery revenue reflects decreases of $88.2 million in

42

sales of core transport products, $87.0 million in sales of core switching products, and $25.2 million in
sales of legacy data networking and metro transport products. These decreases were partially offset by a
$19.7 million increase in sales of CN 4200. Revenue from carrier Ethernet service delivery products
increased by $10.5 million, reflecting a $30.3 million increase in sales of our switching and aggregation
products, partially offset by a $19.8 million decrease in sales of our broadband access products.

(cid:129) International revenue decreased primarily due to a $78.1 million decrease in sales of our optical service
delivery products. This primarily reflects decreases of $21.3 million in sales of legacy data networking
and metro transport products, $19.9 million in sales of core transport products, $19.2 million in sales of
CN 4200, and $17.8 million in sales of core switching products. This decrease was partially offset by a
$4.5 million increase in revenue from our carrier Ethernet service delivery products, primarily related to
sales of our switching and aggregation products.

Gross profit

(cid:129) Gross profit as a percentage of revenue decreased due to less favorable product and geographic mix,
including fewer sales of core switching products as a percentage of total revenue, increased charges
related to losses on committed customer sales contracts and higher charges relating to warranty. Gross
profit as a percentage of revenue for fiscal 2008 reflects a $5.3 million increase in product cost of
goods sold related to the revaluation of the acquired WWP inventory due to purchase accounting rules.

(cid:129) Gross profit on products as a percentage of product revenue decreased due to less favorable product

and geographic mix, including fewer sales of core switching products as a percentage of total revenue,
increased charges related to losses on committed customer sales contracts and higher charges relating to
warranty. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue for fiscal 2008 reflects a $5.3 million increase in
product cost of goods sold related to the revaluation of the acquired WWP inventory due to purchase
accounting rules.

(cid:129) Gross profit on services as a percentage of services revenue increased due to higher sales of

maintenance contracts as a percentage of services revenue. Services gross margin remains heavily
dependent upon the mix of services in a given period and may fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

Operating expense

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in operating expense for the

periods indicated:

Fiscal Year

2008

*%

2009

Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling and marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$175,023
152,018
68,639
32,264
1,110
—

$190,319
19.4
134,527
16.8
47,509
7.6
24,826
3.6
0.1
11,207
— 455,673

%*

29.2
20.6
7.3
3.8
1.7
69.8

Increase
(Decrease)

$ 15,296
(17,491)
(21,130)
(7,438)
10,097
455,673

%**

8.7
(11.5)
(30.8)
(23.1)
909.6
100.0

Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$429,054

47.5

$864,061

132.4

$435,007

101.4

* Denotes % of total revenue

** Denotes % change from 2008 to 2009

(cid:129) Research and development expense benefited by $5.3 million in favorable foreign exchange rates
primarily due to the comparative strength of the U.S. dollar in relation to the previous year. The
resulting $15.3 million net increase principally reflects an increase in prototype expense of $15.4 mil-
lion. Other increases include $5.4 million in facilities and information systems expense, $2.8 million in
depreciation expense, and higher employee compensation cost of $0.6 million, including a $2.6 million

43

increase in share-based compensation expense. These increases were partially offset by decreases of
$4.8 million in consulting services expense, $2.7 million in technology related expenses and $0.8 million
in travel expense.

(cid:129) Selling and marketing expense benefited by $2.8 million in favorable foreign exchange rates primarily

due to the comparative strength of the U.S. dollar in relation to the previous year. The resulting
$17.5 million net change reflects decreases of $7.8 million in employee compensation cost, $3.0 million
in travel-related costs, $2.9 million in marketing program costs and $2.4 million in consulting services
expense. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.2 million increase in facilities and information
systems expense.

(cid:129) General and administrative expense benefited by $0.5 million in favorable foreign exchange rates
primarily due to the comparative strength of the U.S. dollar in relation to the previous year. The
resulting $21.1 million net change reflects decreases of $6.1 million in employee compensation cost,
$4.1 million in consulting services expense, $1.7 million in facilities and information systems expense,
and $0.7 million in technology-related expense. Expense for fiscal 2008 included $7.7 million associ-
ated with the settlement of patent litigation.

(cid:129) Amortization of intangible assets costs decreased due to certain intangible assets reaching the end of

their useful life and becoming fully amortized during fiscal 2009.

(cid:129) Restructuring costs during fiscal 2009 was primarily related to a headcount reduction of approximately
200 employees, the closure of our Acton, Massachusetts research and development facility and revisions
of estimates related to previously restructured facilities. Restructuring costs for fiscal 2008 principally
reflects costs associated with a workforce reduction of 56 employees during the fourth quarter.

(cid:129) Goodwill impairment was based on a combination of factors, including the macroeconomic conditions

described above and a sustained decline in our common stock price and market capitalization below our
net book value. These factors required Ciena to conduct an interim impairment assessment of goodwill
during the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The conclusion of this assessment was the write-off of all
goodwill remaining on our balance sheet, resulting in an impairment charge of $455.7 million in the
second quarter of fiscal 2009.

Other items

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in other items for the

periods indicated:

Interest and other income, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Realized loss due to impairment of marketable debt

investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss on cost method investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on extinguishment of debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision (benefit) for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . .

* Denotes % of total revenue

** Denotes % change from 2008 to 2009

2008

Fiscal Year
*%

2009

$36,762
$12,927

4.1
1.4

$ 9,487
$ 7,406

%*

1.5
1.1

$ 5,101
0.6
$ — 0.0
0.1
$
932
0.3
$ 2,645

$ — 0.0
0.8
$ 5,328
$ — 0.0
(0.2)
$(1,324)

Increase
(Decrease)

$(27,275)
$ (5,521)

$ (5,101)
$ 5,328
$
(932)
$ (3,969)

%**

(74.2)
(42.7)

(100.0)
100.0
(100.0)
(150.1)

(cid:129) Interest and other income, net decreased due to lower average cash and investment balances and lower
interest rates. Lower cash balances primarily relate to the repayment at maturity of the $542.3 million
principal outstanding on our 3.75% convertible notes during the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and our use
of $210.0 million in cash consideration and related expenses associated with our acquisition of WWP
in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

44

(cid:129) Interest expense decreased primarily due to the repayment of 3.75% convertible notes at maturity at the

end of the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

(cid:129) Realized loss due to impairment of marketable debt investments for fiscal 2008 reflects a loss related to

commercial paper investments in SIV Portfolio plc (formerly known as Cheyne Finance plc) and
Rhinebridge LLC, two structured investment vehicles (SIVs) that entered into receivership during the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 and failed to make payment at maturity. These SIVs completed their
restructuring activities during fiscal 2008 and, as of the end of the fiscal year, we no longer held these
investments.

(cid:129) Loss on cost method investments during fiscal 2009 was due to the decline in value of our investments

in two privately held technology companies that were determined to be other-than-temporary.

(cid:129) Gain on extinguishment of debt reflects our repurchase of $2.0 million in principal amount of our

outstanding 0.25% convertible senior notes due May 1, 2013 in an open market transaction. We used
$1.0 million of our cash to effect this repurchase, which resulted in a gain of approximately
$0.9 million.

(cid:129) Provision for income taxes decreased primarily due to refundable federal tax credits made available by

recent economic stimulus tax law changes. Availability of refundable credits currently expires on
December 31, 2009. We will continue to maintain a valuation allowance against nearly all net deferred
tax assets until sufficient evidence exists to support a reversal. See “Critical Accounting Policies and
Estimates — Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance” below for information relating to our deferred tax
valuation allowance and the conditions required for its release.

Fiscal 2007 compared to Fiscal 2008

Revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in revenue, cost of goods

sold and gross profit for the periods indicated:

Fiscal Year

2007

%*

2008

%*

Increase
(Decrease)

Revenue:

Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$695,289
84,480

89.2
10.8

$791,415
111,033

87.7
12.3

$ 96,126
26,553

Total revenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

779,769

100.0

902,448

100.0

122,679

Costs:

Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

337,866
79,634

Total cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

417,500

Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$362,269

43.3
10.2

53.5

46.5

371,238
80,283

451,521

$450,927

41.1
8.9

50.0

50.0

* Denotes % of total revenue

** Denotes % change from 2007 to 2008

45

%**

13.8
31.4

15.7

9.9
0.8

8.1

33,372
649

34,021

$ 88,658

24.5

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in product revenue, product

cost of goods sold and product gross profit for the periods indicated:

Fiscal Year

2007

%*

2008

%*

Increase
(Decrease) %**

Product revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $695,289
337,866
Product cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100.0
48.6

$791,415
371,238

100.0
46.9

$96,126
33,372

Product gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $357,423

51.4

$420,177

53.1

$62,754

13.8
9.9

17.6

* Denotes % of product revenue

** Denotes % change from 2007 to 2008

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in service revenue, service

cost of goods sold and service gross profit (loss) for the periods indicated:

Service revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $84,480
79,634
Service cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100.0
94.3

$111,033
80,283

100.0
72.3

Fiscal Year

2007

%*

2008

%*

Increase
(Decrease)

$26,553
649

%**

31.4
0.8

Service gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,846

5.7

$ 30,750

27.7

$25,904

534.5

* Denotes % of service revenue

** Denotes % change from 2007 to 2008

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in distribution of revenue

for the periods indicated:

Optical service delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carrier Ethernet service delivery . . . . . . . . . . .
Global network services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$645,159
50,129
84,481

2007

Fiscal Year

%*

82.8
6.4
10.8

2008

$731,260
60,155
111,033

%*

81.0
6.7
12.3

Increase
(Decrease)

$ 86,101
10,026
26,552

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$779,769

100.0

$902,448

100.0

$122,679

%**

13.3
20.0
31.4

15.7

* Denotes % of total revenue

** Denotes % change from 2007 to 2008

Revenue from sales to customers outside of the United States is reflected as International in the

geographic distribution of revenue below. The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the
changes in geographic distribution of revenue for the periods indicated:

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$553,582
226,187

2007

Fiscal Year

%*

71.0
29.0

2008

$590,868
311,580

%*

65.5
34.5

Increase
(Decrease)

$ 37,286
85,393

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$779,769

100.0

$902,448

100.0

$122,679

%**

6.7
37.8

15.7

* Denotes % of total revenue

** Denotes % change from 2007 to 2008

46

Certain customers each accounted for at least 10% of our revenue for the periods indicated (in thousands,

except percentage data) as follows:

2007

Fiscal Year
%*

2008

AT&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $196,924
n/a
BT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
100,122
Sprint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25.3

$227,737
— 113,981
n/a

12.8

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $297,046

38.1

$341,718

n/a Denotes revenue representing less than 10% of total revenue for the period

* Denotes % of total revenue

Revenue

%*

25.2
12.6
—

37.8

(cid:129) Product revenue increased primarily due to an $86.1 million increase in sales of our optical service

delivery products. Increased optical service delivery revenue reflects increases of $67.9 million in sales
of CN 4200 and $52.6 million in sales of core switching products. These increases were offset by
decreases of $17.7 million in sales of core transport products and $16.7 million in sales of legacy data
networking and metro transport products. We believe that our optical service delivery revenue during
fiscal 2008 benefited from increasing network capacity requirements and customer transition to more
efficient and economical network architectures. In particular, sales of our core switching products
benefited from an expansion in mesh-style optical networks. Revenue from our carrier Ethernet service
delivery products increased by $10.0 million, reflecting the addition of $24.4 million in sales related to
service delivery and aggregation switches from our acquisition of WWP. This increase offset a
$14.6 million reduction in revenue from our broadband access products.

(cid:129) Services revenue increased primarily due to a $15.1 million increase in deployment services and a

$9.7 million increase in maintenance and support services, reflecting higher sales volume and increased
installation activity.

(cid:129) United States revenue increased primarily due to a $15.0 million increase in sales of optical service

delivery products. Increased optical service delivery revenue reflects a $38.8 million increase in sales of
CN 4200 and a $22.5 million increase in sales of core switching products. These increases were
partially offset by a $23.6 million decrease in sales of core transport products and a $22.7 million
decrease in sales of legacy data networking and metro transport products. Revenue from carrier
Ethernet service delivery products increased by $5.2 million, reflecting the addition of $19.5 million in
sales of products derived from our WWP acquisition. This increase offset a $14.6 million reduction in
revenue from our broadband access products. In addition, U.S. revenue benefited from a $17.0 million
increase in services revenue.

(cid:129) International revenue increased primarily due to a $71.1 million increase in sales of our optical service
delivery products. This primarily reflects increases of $30.1 million in sales of core switching products,
$29.1 million in sales of CN 4200 and $5.9 million in sales of core transport products. International
revenue also benefited from a $4.8 million increase in carrier Ethernet service delivery revenue and a
$9.6 million increase in services revenue.

Gross profit

(cid:129) Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased due to significant improvements in services gross

margin, product cost reductions and favorable product mix.

(cid:129) Gross profit on products as a percentage of product revenue increased primarily due to significant

product cost reductions and improved manufacturing efficiencies as a result of consolidation efforts
relating to our supply chain and our increased use of lower cost contract manufacturers and suppliers in

47

Asia. Improved gross margin also benefited from a favorable product mix. This improvement was
partially offset by the effect on product costs of goods sold of $5.3 million in costs related to the
revaluation of the acquired WWP inventory.

(cid:129) Gross profit on services as a percentage of services revenue increased significantly due to improved

deployment efficiencies.

Operating expense

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in operating expense for the

periods indicated:

2007

Fiscal Year
%*

2008

Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $127,296
118,015
Selling and marketing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50,248
General and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25,350
Amortization of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . .
(2,435)
Restructuring (recoveries) costs . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4,871)
Gain on lease settlement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16.3
15.1
6.4
3.3
(0.3)
(0.6)

$175,023
152,018
68,639
32,264
1,110
—

Total operating expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $313,603

40.2

$429,054

%*

19.4
16.8
7.6
3.6
0.1
—

47.5

Increase
(Decrease)

$ 47,727
34,003
18,391
6,914
3,545
4,871

%**

37.5
28.8
36.6
27.3
(145.6)
(100.0)

$115,451

36.8

* Denotes % of total revenue

** Denotes % change from 2007 to 2008

(cid:129) Research and development expense increased due to higher employee compensation cost of

$29.5 million, including a $3.6 million increase in share-based compensation expense, primarily
reflecting increased headcount. Other increases included $7.3 million in consulting expense, $7.0 million
in non-capitalized development tools and software maintenance support, and $2.4 million in deprecia-
tion expense.

(cid:129) Selling and marketing expense increased primarily due a $19.4 million increase in employee compen-

sation cost, including a $4.1 million increase in share-based compensation expense, primarily reflecting
increased headcount. Other increases included $3.1 million in travel and entertainment expense,
$2.5 million of demonstration equipment, $2.1 million in marketing programs, $2.1 million in facilities
and information systems expense and $1.7 million in consulting expense.

(cid:129) General and administrative expense increased due to higher employee compensation cost of $7.6 mil-

lion, including a $2.1 million increase in share-based compensation expense, primarily reflecting
increased headcount. In addition, legal expense increased by $5.8 million, reflecting increased patent
litigation settlement costs. Fiscal 2008 expense also reflects a $3.3 million increase in facilities and
information systems expense.

(cid:129) Amortization of intangible assets costs increased due to the purchase of intangible assets associated

with our acquisition of WWP. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II
of this report for additional information related to purchased intangible assets.

(cid:129) Restructuring (recoveries) costs for fiscal 2008 principally reflect costs associated with a workforce
reduction of 56 employees during the fourth quarter. For fiscal 2007, recoveries primarily reflect
adjustments related to the return to use of previously restructured facilities.

(cid:129) Gain on lease settlement for fiscal 2007 was related to the termination of lease obligations for our
former San Jose, CA facilities. During fiscal 2007, we paid $53.0 million in connection with the
settlement of these lease obligations. This transaction resulted in a gain on lease settlement of
approximately $4.9 million by eliminating the remaining unfavorable lease commitment balance of

48

$34.9 million and reducing our restructuring liabilities by $23.5 million, offset by approximately
$0.5 million of other expenses.

Other items

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in other items for the

periods indicated:

Interest and other income, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $76,483
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26,996
Realized loss due to impairment of marketable debt

2007

Fiscal Year
%*

2008

9.8
3.5

$36,762
$12,927

%*

4.1
1.4

Increase
(Decrease)

$(39,721)
$(14,069)

investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,013

1.7

Gain on extinguishment of debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — — $
Gain on equity investments, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
592
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,944

0.1
0.4

0.6
0.1

$ 5,101
932

$ (7,912)
932
$
(592)
$ — — $
(299)
$
$ 2,645

0.3

%**

(51.9)
(52.1)

(60.8)
100.0
(100.0)
(10.2)

* Denotes % of total revenue

** Denotes % change from 2007 to 2008

(cid:129) Interest and other income, net decreased due to lower average cash and investment balances resulting
from the repayment at maturity of the $542.3 million principal outstanding on our 3.75% convertible
notes during the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and use of $210.0 million in cash consideration and
acquisition-related expenses associated with our acquisition of WWP in the second quarter of fiscal
2008. Interest income was also significantly affected by lower interest rates on investment balances.

(cid:129) Interest expense decreased primarily due to the repayment of 3.75% convertible notes at maturity at the
end of the first quarter of fiscal 2008. This decrease was slightly offset by the interest associated with
our June 11, 2007 issuance of $500.0 million in 0.875% convertible senior notes.

(cid:129) Realized loss due to impairment of marketable debt investments reflects losses related to commercial

paper investments in SIV Portfolio plc (formerly known as Cheyne Finance plc) and Rhinebridge LLC,
two structured investment vehicles (SIVs) that entered into receivership during the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2007 and failed to make payment at maturity.

(cid:129) Gain on extinguishment of debt reflects our repurchase of $2.0 million in principal amount of our

outstanding 0.25% convertible senior notes due May 1, 2013 in an open market transaction. We used
$1.0 million of our cash to effect this repurchase, which resulted in a gain of approximately
$0.9 million.

(cid:129) Gain on equity investments, net during fiscal 2007 was related to a final payment from the sale of a

privately held technology company in which we held a minority equity investment.

(cid:129) Provision for income taxes was primarily attributable to foreign tax related to our foreign operations
and recognition of domestic deferred tax assets from prior acquisitions. Federal tax is largely offset,
except for any alternative minimum tax, by recognizing deferred tax assets that were previously
reserved against by a valuation allowance.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At October 31, 2009, our principal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents, and short-term

investments. During the second quarter of fiscal 2009, we reallocated our previous short and long-term
investments principally into U.S. treasuries. As a result, at October 31, 2009, short-term and long term

49

investments principally represent U.S. treasuries. The following table summarizes our cash and cash
equivalents and investments (in thousands):

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term investments in marketable debt securities . . . . .
Long-term investments in marketable debt securities . . . . . .

$ 550,669
366,336
156,171

$ 485,705
563,183
8,031

October 31,

2008

2009

Increase
(Decrease)

$ (64,964)
196,847
(148,140)

Total cash and cash equivalents and investments in

marketable debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,073,176

$1,056,919

$ (16,257)

The decrease in total cash and cash equivalents and investments in marketable debt securities during
fiscal 2009 was primarily related to the purchase of capital assets, slightly offset by cash generated from
operating activities described in “Operating Activities” below. Based on past performance and current
expectations, we believe that our cash and cash equivalents, investments in marketable debt securities and cash
generated from operations will satisfy our working capital needs, capital expenditures, payment of the cash
consideration for our pending acquisition of Nortel’s MEN assets, acquisition-related costs, integration costs,
and other liquidity requirements associated with our existing operations through at least the next 12 months.

The following sections review the significant activities that had an impact on our cash during fiscal 2009.

Operating Activities

The following tables set forth (in thousands) components of our $7.4 million of cash generated by

operating activities for fiscal 2009:

Net loss

Year Ended
October 31,
2009

Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(581,154)

Our net loss for fiscal 2009 included the significant non-cash items summarized in the following table (in

thousands):

Depreciation of equipment, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold

improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill impairment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based compensation costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Year Ended
October 31,
2009

$ 21,933
455,673
34,438
31,429
15,719
19,286

Total significant non-cash charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$578,478

Accounts Receivable, Net

Cash generated by accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, was

$20.1 million from the end of fiscal 2008 through the end of fiscal 2009. Our days sales outstanding (DSOs)
increased from 55 days for fiscal 2008 to 65 days for fiscal 2009.

50

The following table sets forth (in thousands) changes to our accounts receivable, net of allowance for

doubtful accounts receivable, from the end of fiscal 2008 through the end of fiscal 2009:

October 31,

2008

2009

Increase
(Decrease)

Accounts receivable, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$138,441

$118,251

$(20,190)

Inventory

Cash consumed by inventory for fiscal 2009 was $10.4 million. Our inventory turns decreased from 4.0

for fiscal 2008 to 3.4 for fiscal 2009.

During fiscal 2009, changes in inventory reflect a $15.7 million reduction related to a non-cash provision

for excess and obsolescence.

The following table sets forth (in thousands) changes to the components of our inventory from the end of

fiscal 2008 through the end of fiscal 2009:

October 31,

2008

2009

Raw materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Work-in-process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finished goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 19,044
1,702
95,963

$ 19,694
1,480
90,914

Gross inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence . . . . . . . . . . . .

116,709
(23,257)

112,088
(24,002)

Increase
(Decrease)

$

650
(222)
(5,049)

(4,621)
(745)

Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 93,452

$ 88,086

$(5,366)

Accounts payable, accruals and other obligations

Cash generated by accounts payable, accruals and other obligations during fiscal 2009 was $2.9 million.

Between 2008 and 2009, the change in unpaid equipment purchases was $0.8 million. Changes in accrued
liabilities in the table below reflect non-cash provisions of $19.3 million related to warranties.

The following table sets forth (in thousands) changes in our accounts payable, accruals and other

obligations from the end of fiscal 2008 through the end of fiscal 2009:

Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other long-term obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 44,761
96,143
4,225
8,089

$ 53,104
103,349
9,605
8,554

October 31,

2008

2009

Increase
(Decrease)

$ 8,343
7,206
5,380
465

Accounts payable and accruals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$153,218

$174,612

$21,394

Interest Payable on Convertible Notes

We paid the final $10.2 million interest payment on our 3.75% convertible notes, due February 1, 2008,

during fiscal 2008.

Interest on our outstanding 0.25% convertible senior notes, due May 1, 2013, is payable on May 1 and

November 1 of each year. We paid $0.4 million in interest on our 0.25% convertible notes during fiscal 2009.

Interest on our outstanding 0.875% convertible senior notes, due June 15, 2017, is payable on June 15
and December 15 of each year. We paid $4.3 million in interest on our 0.875% convertible notes during fiscal
2009.

51

The indentures governing our outstanding convertible notes do not contain any financial covenants. The
indentures provide for customary events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of covenants, failure
to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization. If an event of
default occurs and is continuing, the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
may be declared immediately due and payable. These amounts automatically become due and payable if an
event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs. For additional
information about our convertible notes, see Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in
Item 8 of Part II of this report.

The following table reflects (in thousands) the balance of interest payable and the change in this balance

from the end of fiscal 2008 through the end of fiscal 2009.

October 31,

2008

2009

Increase
(Decrease)

Accrued interest payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,683

$2,045

$362

Deferred revenue

Deferred revenue increased by $1.5 million during fiscal 2009. Product deferred revenue represents
payments received in advance of shipment and payments received in advance of our ability to recognize
revenue. Services deferred revenue is related to payment for service contracts that will be recognized over the
contract term. The following table reflects (in thousands) the balance of deferred revenue and the change in
this balance from the end of fiscal 2008 through the end of fiscal 2009:

Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,061
61,366
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$11,998
63,935

October 31,

2008

2009

Increase
(Decrease)

$(1,063)
2,569

Total deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $74,427

$75,933

$ 1,506

Investing Activities

During fiscal 2009, we had purchases, net of sales and maturities, of approximately $46.0 million of
available for sale securities. Investing activities also included the purchase of approximately $24.1 million in
equipment. At the end of fiscal 2009, we had outstanding accounts payable for equipment of $1.5 million,
which represents a reduction of $0.8 million from the end of fiscal 2008.

Contractual Obligations

On November 23, 2009 we announced that we had been selected as the successful bidder in the auction

of substantially all of the optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s MEN business. In
accordance with the definitive purchase agreements, as amended, we have agreed to pay $530 million in cash
and issue $239 million in aggregate principal amount of 6% Senior Convertible notes due in 2017 for a total
consideration of $769 million for the assets. See Note 22 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8
of Part II of this report for more information regarding the pending acquisition of substantially all of the
optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s MEN business and the terms of the notes.

52

The following is a summary of our future minimum payments under contractual obligations as of

October 31, 2009 (in thousands):

Interest due on convertible notes . . . . . . . . . . .
Principal due at maturity on convertible

notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating leases(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase obligations(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total

Less Than
One Year

One to
Three Years

Three to
Five Years

Thereafter

$ 37,980

$ 5,120

$10,240

$

9,495

$ 13,125

798,000
62,199
79,631

—
14,449
79,631

—
22,915
—

298,000
14,925
—

500,000
9,910
—

Total(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$977,810

$99,200

$33,155

$322,420

$523,035

(1) The amount for operating leases above does not include insurance, taxes, maintenance and other costs

required by the applicable operating lease. These costs are variable and are not expected to have a material
impact.

(2) Purchase obligations relate to purchase order commitments to our contract manufacturers and component
suppliers for inventory. In certain instances, we are permitted to cancel, reschedule or adjust these orders.
Consequently, only a portion of the amount reported above relates to firm, non-cancelable and uncondi-
tional obligations.

(3) As of October 31, 2009, we had approximately $6.1 million of other long-term obligations in our consoli-

dated balance sheet for unrecognized tax positions that are not included in this table because the periods
of cash settlement with the respective tax authority cannot be reasonably estimated.

Some of our commercial commitments, including some of the future minimum payments set forth above,
are secured by standby letters of credit. The following is a summary of our commercial commitments secured
by standby letters of credit by commitment expiration date as of October 31, 2009 (in thousands):

Standby letters of credit . . . . . . . . . . . . $24,762

$22,600

$1,458

$704

$—

Total

Less Than
One Year

One to
Three Years

Three to
Five Years

Thereafter

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not engage in any off-balance sheet financing arrangements. In particular, we do not have any

equity interests in so-called limited purpose entities, which include special purpose entities (SPEs) and
structured finance entities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires that we make estimates and judgments

that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expense, and related disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities. By their nature, these estimates and judgments are subject to an inherent degree of
uncertainty. On an ongoing basis, we reevaluate our estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventories,
investments, intangible assets, goodwill, income taxes, warranty obligations, restructuring, and contingencies
and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe
to be reasonable under the circumstances. Among other things, these estimates form the basis for judgments
about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual
results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. To the extent that there are
material differences between our estimates and actual results, our consolidated financial statements will be
affected.

We believe that the following critical accounting policies reflect those areas where significant judgments

and estimates are used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

53

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned. We consider revenue to be realized or
realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and
collectibility is reasonably assured. Customer purchase agreements and customer purchase orders are generally
used to determine the existence of an arrangement. Shipping documents and customer acceptance, when
applicable, are used to verify delivery. We assess whether the price is fixed or determinable based on the
payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to refund or adjustment.
We assess collectibility based primarily on the creditworthiness of the customer as determined by credit checks
and analysis, as well as the customer’s payment history. In instances where final acceptance of the product,
system, or solution is specified by the customer, revenue is deferred until all acceptance criteria have been
met. Revenue for maintenance services is generally deferred and recognized ratably over the period during
which the services are to be performed.

Some of our communications networking equipment is integrated with software that is essential to the
functionality of the equipment. Software revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is probable. In instances where
final acceptance of the product is specified by the customer, revenue is deferred until all acceptance criteria
have been met.

Arrangements with customers may include multiple deliverables, including any combination of equip-

ment, services and software. If multiple element arrangements include software or software-related elements
that are essential to the equipment, we allocate the arrangement fee to those separate units of accounting.
Multiple element arrangements that include software are separated into more than one unit of accounting if the
functionality of the delivered element(s) is not dependent on the undelivered element(s), there is vendor-
specific objective evidence of the fair value of the undelivered element(s), and general revenue recognition
criteria related to the delivered element(s) have been met. The amount of product and services revenue
recognized is affected by our judgments as to whether an arrangement includes multiple elements and, if so,
whether vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value exists. Changes to the elements in an arrangement and
our ability to establish vendor-specific objective evidence for those elements could affect the timing of revenue
recognition. For all other deliverables, we separate the elements into more than one unit of accounting if the
delivered element(s) have value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, objective and reliable evidence of fair
value exists for the undelivered element(s), and delivery of the undelivered element(s) is probable and
substantially within our control. Revenue is allocated to each unit of accounting based on the relative fair
value of each accounting unit or using the residual method if objective evidence of fair value does not exist
for the delivered element(s). The revenue recognition criteria described above are applied to each separate unit
of accounting. If these criteria are not met, revenue is deferred until the criteria are met or the last element has
been delivered.

Our total deferred revenue for products was $13.0 million and $12.0 million as of October 31, 2008 and
October 31, 2009, respectively. Our services revenue is deferred and recognized ratably over the period during
which the services are to be performed. Our total deferred revenue for services was $61.4 million and
$63.9 million as of October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2009, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

We measure and recognize compensation expense for share-based awards based on estimated fair values

on the date of grant. We estimate the fair value of each option-based award on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This option pricing model requires that we make several estimates,
including the option’s expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The expected life of
employee stock options represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected to remain
outstanding. Because we considered our options to be “plain vanilla,” we calculated the expected term using
the simplified method for fiscal 2007. Options are considered to be “plain vanilla” if they have the following
basic characteristics: they are granted “at-the-money;” exercisability is conditioned upon service through the

54

vesting date; termination of service prior to vesting results in forfeiture; there is a limited exercise period
following termination of service; and the options are non-transferable and non-hedgeable. Beginning in fiscal
2008 we gathered more detailed historical information about specific exercise behavior of our grantees, which
we used to determine expected term. We considered the implied volatility and historical volatility of our stock
price in determining our expected volatility, and, finding both to be equally reliable, determined that a
combination of both measures would result in the best estimate of expected volatility. We recognize the
estimated fair value of option-based awards, net of estimated forfeitures, as share-based compensation expense
on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

We estimate the fair value of our restricted stock unit awards based on the fair value of our common

stock on the date of grant. Our outstanding restricted stock unit awards are subject to service-based vesting
conditions and/or performance-based vesting conditions. We recognize the estimated fair value of service-
based awards, net of estimated forfeitures, as share-based expense ratably over the vesting period on a
straight-line basis. Awards with performance-based vesting conditions require the achievement of certain
financial or other performance criteria or targets as a condition to the vesting, or acceleration of vesting. We
recognize the estimated fair value of performance-based awards, net of estimated forfeitures, as share-based
expense over the performance period, using graded vesting, which considers each performance period or
tranche separately, based upon our determination of whether it is probable that the performance targets will be
achieved. At each reporting period, we reassess the probability of achieving the performance targets and the
performance period required to meet those targets. Determining whether the performance targets will be
achieved involves judgment, and the estimate of expense may be revised periodically based on changes in the
probability of achieving the performance targets. Revisions are reflected in the period in which the estimate is
changed. If any performance goals are not met, no compensation cost is ultimately recognized against that
goal, and, to the extent previously recognized, compensation cost is reversed.

Because share-based compensation expense is based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest, the
amount of expense takes into account estimated forfeitures. We estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and
revise, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Changes in these
estimates and assumptions can materially affect the measure of estimated fair value of our share-based
compensation. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for
information regarding our assumptions related to share-based compensation and the amount of share-based
compensation expense we incurred for the periods covered in this report. As of October 31, 2009, total
unrecognized compensation expense was: (i) $11.9 million, which relates to unvested stock options and is
expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.0 year; and (ii) $42.1 million, which relates to
unvested restricted stock units and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.

We recognize windfall tax benefits associated with the exercise of stock options or release of restricted
stock units directly to stockholders’ equity only when realized. A windfall tax benefit occurs when the actual
tax benefit realized by us upon an employee’s disposition of a share-based award exceeds the deferred tax
asset, if any, associated with the award that we had recorded. When assessing whether a tax benefit relating to
share-based compensation has been realized, we follow the tax law “with-and-without” method. Under the
with-and-without method, the windfall is considered realized and recognized for financial statement purposes
only when an incremental benefit is provided after considering all other tax benefits including our net
operating losses. The with-and-without method results in the windfall from share-based compensation awards
always being effectively the last tax benefit to be considered. Consequently, the windfall attributable to share-
based compensation will not be considered realized in instances where our net operating loss carryover (that is
unrelated to windfalls) is sufficient to offset the current year’s taxable income before considering the effects of
current-year windfalls.

Reserve for Inventory Obsolescence

We make estimates about future customer demand for our products when establishing the appropriate
reserve for excess and obsolete inventory. We write down inventory that has become obsolete or unmarketable
by an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based on
assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Inventory write downs are a component of our

55

product cost of goods sold. Upon recognition of the write down, a new lower cost basis for that inventory is
established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in
that newly established cost basis. We recorded charges for excess and obsolete inventory of $18.3 million and
$15.7 million in fiscal 2008 and 2009, respectively. These charges were primarily related to excess inventory
due to a change in forecasted product sales. In an effort to limit our exposure to delivery delays and to satisfy
customer needs we purchase inventory based on forecasted sales across our product lines. In addition, part of
our research and development strategy is to promote the convergence of similar features and functionalities
across our product lines. Each of these practices exposes us to the risk that our customers will not order
products for which we have forecasted sales, or will purchase less than we have forecasted. Historically, we
have experienced write downs due to changes in strategic direction, discontinuance of a product and declines
in market conditions. If actual market conditions worsen or differ from those we have assumed, if there is a
sudden and significant decrease in demand for our products, or if there is a higher incidence of inventory
obsolescence due to a rapid change in technology, we may be required to take additional inventory write-
downs, and our gross margin could be adversely affected. Our inventory net of allowance for excess and
obsolete was $93.5 million and $88.1 as of October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2009, respectively.

Restructuring

As part of our restructuring costs, we provide for the estimated cost of the net lease expense for facilities

that are no longer being used. The provision is equal to the fair value of the minimum future lease payments
under our contracted lease obligations, offset by the fair value of the estimated sublease payments that we may
receive. As of October 31, 2009, our accrued restructuring liability related to net lease expense and other
related charges was $9.4 million. The total minimum lease payments for these restructured facilities are
$14.5 million. These lease payments will be made over the remaining lives of our leases, which range from
sixteen months to ten years. If actual market conditions are different than those we have projected, we will be
required to recognize additional restructuring costs or benefits associated with these facilities.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable is based on management’s assessment, on a specific
identification basis, of the collectibility of customer accounts. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our
customers and generally have not required collateral or other forms of security from customers. In determining
the appropriate balance for our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, management considers each
individual customer account receivable in order to determine collectibility. In doing so, we consider
creditworthiness, payment history, account activity and communication with such customer. If a customer’s
financial condition changes, or if actual defaults are higher than our historical experience, we may be required
to take a charge for an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable which could have an adverse impact on our
results of operations. Our accounts receivable net of allowance for doubtful accounts was $138.4 million and
$118.3 as of October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2009, respectively. Our allowance for doubtful accounts as of
October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2009 was $0.1 million.

Goodwill

As discussed in “Overview” above, during the second quarter of fiscal 2009, we conducted an interim

impairment assessment that resulted in the write-off of all goodwill remaining on our balance sheet. As a
result, as of October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2009, our consolidated balance sheet included $455.7 million
and $0 in goodwill, respectively.

Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over amounts assigned to tangible or identifiable intangible

assets acquired and liabilities assumed from our acquisitions. We test goodwill for impairment on an annual
basis, which we have determined to be the last business day of fiscal September each year. We also test
goodwill for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would, more
likely than not, reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value. The first step is to compare
the fair value of the reporting unit with the unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill. If this test indicates
that the fair value is less than the carrying value, then step two is required to compare the implied fair value

56

of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill. A non-cash goodwill
impairment charge would have the effect of decreasing our earnings or increasing our losses in such period. If
we are required to take a substantial impairment charge, our operating results would be materially adversely
affected in such period.

We determine the fair value of our single reporting unit to be equal to our market capitalization plus a
control premium. Market capitalization is determined by multiplying the shares outstanding on the assessment
date by the average market price of our common stock over a 10-day period before and a 10-day period after
each assessment date. We use this 20-day duration to consider inherent market fluctuations that may affect any
individual closing price. We believe that our market capitalization alone does not fully capture the fair value
of our business as a whole, or the substantial value that an acquirer would obtain from its ability to obtain
control of our business. As such, in determining fair value, we add a control premium — which seeks to give
effect to the increased consideration a potential acquirer would be required to pay in order to gain sufficient
ownership to set policies, direct operations and make decisions related to our company — to our market
capitalization.

Interim Impairment Assessment — Fiscal 2009

Based on a combination of factors, including the macroeconomic conditions described above and a

sustained decline in our common stock price and market capitalization below our net book value, we
conducted an interim impairment assessment of goodwill during the second quarter of fiscal 2009. When we
performed the step one fair value comparison during the second quarter of fiscal 2009, our market
capitalization was $721.8 million and our carrying value, including goodwill, was $949.0 million. We applied
a 25% control premium to market capitalization to determine a fair value of $902.2 million. Because step one
indicated that the fair value was less than our carrying value, we performed the step two analysis. Under the
step two analysis, the implied fair value of goodwill requires valuation of a reporting unit’s tangible and
intangible assets and liabilities in a manner similar to the allocation of purchase price in a business
combination. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, goodwill is
deemed impaired and is written down to the extent of the difference. The implied fair value of the reporting
unit’s goodwill was determined to be $0, and, as a result, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $455.7 mil-
lion, representing the full carrying value of the goodwill.

Long-lived Assets (excluding goodwill)

Our long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, include: equipment, furniture and fixtures; finite-lived intangi-
ble assets; and maintenance spares. As of October 31, 2008 and 2009 these assets totaled $182.3 million and
$154.7 million, net, respectively. We test long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the assets’ carrying amount is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows.
Our long-lived assets are part of a single reporting unit which represents the lowest level for which we identify
cash flows.

Due to effects on our business of difficult macroeconomic conditions, during fiscal 2009 we experienced
order delays, lengthening sales cycles and slowing deployments. As a result of these conditions, we performed
an impairment analysis of all our long-lived assets during the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Valuation of our
long-lived assets requires us to make assumptions about future sales prices and sales volumes for our products
that involve new technologies and uncertainties around customer acceptance of new products. These and other
assumptions are used to forecast future, undiscounted cash flows. Based on our estimate of future,
undiscounted cash flows as of April 30, 2009, no impairment was required. If actual market conditions differ
or our forecasts change, we may be required to record a non-cash impairment charge related to long-lived
assets in future periods. Such charges would have the effect of decreasing our earnings or increasing our losses
in such period.

57

Investments

We have an investment portfolio comprised of marketable debt securities which are comprised of
U.S. government obligations. The value of these securities is subject to market volatility for the period we
hold these investments and until their sale or maturity. We recognize losses when we determine that declines
in the fair value of our investments, below their cost basis, are other-than-temporary. In determining whether a
decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, we consider various factors including market price (when
available), investment ratings, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, the length of
time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than our cost basis, and our intent and ability to hold
the investment until maturity or for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market
value. We make significant judgments in considering these factors. If we judge that a decline in fair value is
other-than-temporary, the investment is valued at the current fair value, and we would incur a loss equal to the
decline, which could materially adversely affect our profitability and results of operations.

As of October 31, 2009, we held a minority investment of $0.9 million in a privately held technology

company that is reported in other assets. The market for technologies or products manufactured by this
company is in the early stage and markets may never materialize or become significant. This investment is
inherently high risk and we could lose our entire investment. We monitor this investment for impairment and
make appropriate reductions in carrying value when necessary. If market conditions, the expected financial
performance, or the competitive position of this company deteriorates, we may be required to record a non-
cash charge in future periods due to an impairment of the value of our investment.

During fiscal 2009, we recorded losses of $5.3 million related to a decline in value, determined to be
other-than temporary, associated with two of our investments in privately held technology companies. One of
the privately held companies was purchased by a publicly traded entity. As a result, this investment is now
recorded as a trading security.

Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance

As of October 31, 2009, we have recorded a valuation allowance offsetting nearly all our net deferred tax

assets of $1.2 billion. When measuring the need for a valuation allowance, we assess both positive and
negative evidence regarding the realizability of these deferred tax assets. We record a valuation allowance to
reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In determining net
deferred tax assets and valuation allowances, management is required to make judgments and estimates related
to projections of profitability, the timing and extent of the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards,
applicable tax rates, transfer pricing methodologies and tax planning strategies. The valuation allowance is
reviewed quarterly and is maintained until sufficient positive evidence exists to support a reversal. Because
evidence such as our operating results during the most recent three-year period is afforded more weight than
forecasted results for future periods, our cumulative loss during this three-year period represents sufficient
negative evidence regarding the need for nearly a full valuation allowance. We will release this valuation
allowance when management determines that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be
realized. Any future release of valuation allowance may be recorded as a tax benefit increasing net income or
as an adjustment to paid-in capital, based on tax ordering requirements.

Uncertain Tax Positions

Ciena accounts for uncertainty in income tax positions using a two-step approach. The first step is to
evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is
more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or
litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more
than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our uncertain
tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. Although we believe our reserves are reasonable,
no assurance can be given that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different from that which is
reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals. We adjust these reserves in light of changing
facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit or the refinement of an estimate. To the extent that

58

the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will affect the
provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. As of October 31, 2009, we
had $1.3 million and $6.1 million recorded as current and long-term obligations, respectively, related to
uncertain tax positions. The provision for income taxes includes the effect of reserve provisions and changes
to reserves that are considered appropriate, as well as the related net interest.

Warranty

Our liability for product warranties, included in other accrued liabilities, was $37.3 million and

$40.2 million as of October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2009, respectively. Our products are generally covered
by a warranty for periods ranging from one to five years. We accrue for warranty costs as part of our cost of
goods sold based on associated material costs, technical support labor costs, and associated overhead. Material
cost is estimated based primarily upon historical trends in the volume of product returns within the warranty
period and the cost to repair or replace the equipment. Technical support labor cost is estimated based
primarily upon historical trends and the cost to support the customer cases within the warranty period. The
provision for product warranties was $15.3 million and $19.3 million for fiscal 2008 and 2009, respectively.
The provision for warranty claims may fluctuate on a quarterly basis depending upon the mix of products and
customers in that period. If actual product failure rates, material replacement costs, service or labor costs differ
from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty provision would be required. An increase in warranty
claims or the related costs associated with satisfying these warranty obligations could increase our cost of
sales and negatively affect our gross margin.

Loss Contingencies

We are subject to the possibility of various losses arising in the ordinary course of business. These may
relate to disputes, litigation and other legal actions. We consider the likelihood of loss or the incurrence of a
liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss, in determining loss contingencies. A
loss is accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably
estimated. We regularly evaluate current information available to us to determine whether any accruals should
be adjusted and whether new accruals are required.

Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for information

relating to our discussion of the effects of recent accounting pronouncements.

59

Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations

The tables below (in thousands, except per share data) set forth the operating results represented by
certain items in our consolidated statements of operations for each of the eight quarters in the period ended
October 31, 2009. This information is unaudited, but in our opinion reflects all adjustments (consisting only of
normal recurring adjustments) that we consider necessary for a fair statement of such information in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The results for any quarter are not necessarily
indicative of results for any future period.

Jan. 31,
2008

Apr. 30,
2008

Jul. 31,
2008

Oct. 31,
2008

Jan. 31,
2009

Apr. 30,
2009

Jul. 31,
2009

Oct. 31,
2009

Revenue:

Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$201,790 $216,181 $223,661
29,518
26,018

25,626

$149,783 $139,717 $ 118,849 $139,903 $149,053
27,217

29,871

25,352

24,855

27,683

Total Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

227,416

242,199

253,179

179,654

167,400

144,201

164,758

176,270

Cost of goods sold:

Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

91,387
19,460

96,041
18,562

107,953
19,595

Total costs of goods sold . . . . . . . .

110,847

114,603

127,548

Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

116,569

127,596

125,631

Operating expenses:

Research and development . . . . . .
Selling and marketing . . . . . . . . .
General and administrative. . . . . .
Amortization of intangible

assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring costs . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill impairment . . . . . . . . .

35,444
33,608
22,628

6,470
—
—

44,628
38,591
16,650

8,760
—
—

47,809
39,440
14,758

8,671
—
—

75,857
22,666

98,523

81,131

47,142
40,379
14,603

8,363
1,110
—

76,367
19,190

95,557

71,843

46,700
33,819
11,585

65,419
18,062

83,481

60,720

49,482
33,295
12,615

6,224
6,404
76
6,399
— 455,673

72,842
17,251

90,093

74,665

44,442
31,468
11,524

6,224
3,941
—

81,542
17,126

98,668

77,602

49,695
35,945
11,785

5,974
791
—

Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . .

98,150

108,629

110,678

111,597

98,584

563,688

97,599

104,190

18,419
19,082
(7,358)

18,967
8,487
(1,861)

14,953
5,342
(1,855)

(30,466)
3,851
(1,853)

(26,741)
4,660
(1,844)

(502,968)
3,508
(1,852)

(22,934)
999
(1,856)

(26,588)
320
(1,854)

Income (loss) before income taxes . .
Provision (benefit) for income tax . .

30,143
1,336

25,593
1,833

—
—
—

—
—
—

(5,114)
—
—

13,326
1,603

13
—
932

—
(565)
—

—
(2,570)
—

—
(2,193)
—

—
—
—

(27,523)
(2,127)

(24,490)
341

(503,882)
(672)

(25,984)
470

(28,122)
(1,463)

Net income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 28,807 $ 23,760 $ 11,723

$ (25,396) $ (24,831) $(503,210) $ (26,454) $ (26,659)

Basic net income (loss) per common
share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Diluted net income (loss) per

potential common share . . . . . . .

Weighted average basic common

$

$

0.33 $

0.27 $

0.13

0.28 $

0.23 $

0.12

$

$

(0.28) $

(0.27) $

(5.53) $

(0.29) $

(0.29)

(0.28) $

(0.27) $

(5.53) $

(0.29) $

(0.29)

shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . .

86,910

89,102

90,216

90,413

90,620

90,932

91,364

91,758

Weighted average dilutive potential

common shares outstanding . . . . .

109,009

110,770

111,681

90,413

90,620

90,932

91,364

91,758

60

Income (loss) from operations . . . . .
Interest and other income, net . . . . .
Interest expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Realized gain (loss) due to

impairment of marketable debt
investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss on cost method investments . . .
Gain on extinguishment of debt . . . .

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The following discussion about our market risk disclosures involves forward-looking statements. Actual

results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We are exposed to
market risk related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

Interest Rate Sensitivity. We maintain a short-term and long-term investment portfolio. See Notes 5 and
6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for information relating to these
investments and their fair value. These available-for-sale securities are subject to interest rate risk and will fall
in value if market interest rates increase. If market interest rates were to increase immediately and uniformly
by 10 percentage points from current levels, the fair value of the portfolio would decline by approximately
$20.5 million.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk. As a global concern, we face exposure to adverse movements in
foreign currency exchange rates. Because our sales are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, the impact of
foreign currency fluctuations on revenue has not been material. Our primary exposures to foreign currency
exchange risk are related to non-U.S. dollar denominated operating expense in Canadian Dollars (“CAD”),
British Pounds (“GBP”), Euros (“EUR”) and Indian Rupees (“INR”). During fiscal 2009, approximately 79%
of our operating expense, exclusive of our goodwill impairment and restructuring costs, was U.S. dollar
denominated.

To reduce variability in non-U.S. dollar denominated operating expense, we have previously entered into
foreign currency forward contracts and may do so in the future. We utilize these derivatives to partially offset
our market exposure to fluctuations in certain foreign currencies. These derivatives are designated as cash flow
hedges and typically have maturities of less than one year. Ciena’s foreign currency forward contracts were
fully matured as of October 31, 2009. The effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss was initially
reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and, upon occurrence of the
forecasted transaction, was subsequently reclassified into the operating expense line item to which the hedged
transaction related. We recorded the ineffectiveness of the hedging instruments in interest and other income,
net on our consolidated statements of operations.

Favorable foreign exchange translations, net of hedging, benefited total research and development, sales

and marketing, and general and administrative expenses by approximately $9.9 million for fiscal 2009
compared to fiscal 2008. This favorable foreign exchange translation was due to the relative strength of the
U.S. dollar in relation to the previous year. These foreign currency forward contracts were not designed to
provide foreign currency protection over the long-term. In designing a specific approach, we considered
several factors, including offsetting exposures, significance of exposures, costs associated with entering into a
particular instrument, and potential effectiveness. As of October 31, 2009, there were no outstanding foreign
currency forward contracts.

As of October 31, 2009, our assets and liabilities related to non-dollar denominated currencies were
primarily related to intercompany payables and receivables. We do not enter into foreign exchange forward or
option contracts for speculative or trading purposes.

61

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The following is an index to the consolidated financial statements:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Balance Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

63
64
65
66
67
68

Page
Number

62

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Ciena Corporation

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in

all material respects, the financial position of Ciena Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) at
October 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended October 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective
internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal
Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintain-
ing effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report of Management on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial
reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining,
on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understand-
ing of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing
and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits
also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in

which it accounts for uncertain tax positions in 2008.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable

assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of
the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the
company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Baltimore, Maryland
December 21, 2009

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

63

CIENA CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

October 31,

2008

2009

(In thousands, except share data)

Current assets:

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts receivable, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equipment, furniture and fixtures, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other intangible assets, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other long-term assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

550,669
366,336
138,441
93,452
35,888

1,184,786
156,171
59,967
455,673
92,249
75,748

$

485,705
563,183
118,251
88,086
50,537

1,305,762
8,031
61,868
—
60,820
67,902

Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 2,024,594

$ 1,504,383

Current liabilities:

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term restructuring liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other long-term obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convertible notes payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

44,761
96,143
1,668
36,767

179,339
37,660
2,557
8,089
798,000

$

53,104
103,349
1,811
40,565

198,829
35,368
7,794
8,554
798,000

Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,025,645

1,048,545

Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred stock — par value $0.01; 20,000,000 shares authorized; zero shares

issued and outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common stock — par value $0.01; 290,000,000 shares authorized; 90,470,803
and 92,038,360 shares issued and outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated deficit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

905
5,629,498
(1,275)
(4,630,179)

920
5,665,028
1,223
(5,211,333)

Total stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

998,949

455,838

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 2,024,594

$ 1,504,383

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

64

CIENA CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended October 31,
2008
2007
(In thousands, except per share data)

2009

Revenue:

Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $695,289
84,480
Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$791,415
111,033

$ 547,522
105,107

Total revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

779,769

902,448

652,629

Cost of goods sold:

Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

337,866
79,634

371,238
80,283

Total cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

417,500

451,521

Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

362,269

450,927

Operating expenses:

Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling and marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring (recoveries) costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on lease settlement
Goodwill impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

127,296
118,015
50,248
25,350
(2,435)
(4,871)
—

175,023
152,018
68,639
32,264
1,110
—
—

Total operating expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

313,603

429,054

Income (loss) from operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and other income, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Realized loss due to impairment of marketable debt investments . . . . . . .
Loss on cost method investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on extinguishment of debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on equity investments, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income (loss) before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision (benefit) for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

48,666
76,483
(26,996)
(13,013)
—
—
592

85,732
2,944

21,873
36,762
(12,927)
(5,101)
—
932
—

41,539
2,645

296,170
71,629

367,799

284,830

190,319
134,527
47,509
24,826
11,207
—
455,673

864,061

(579,231)
9,487
(7,406)
—
(5,328)
—
—

(582,478)
(1,324)

Net income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 82,788

$ 38,894

$(581,154)

Basic net income (loss) per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

0.97

Diluted net income (loss) per potential common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

0.87

$

$

0.44

0.42

$

$

(6.37)

(6.37)

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

85,525

89,146

Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding . . . . . . .

99,604

110,605

91,167

91,167

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

65

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CIENA CORPORATION

Common
Stock
Shares

Par
Value

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
(In thousands, except share data)

Accumulated
Deficit

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

Balance at October 31, 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . .

84,891,656

$849

$5,505,853

$(1,076)

$(4,752,000)

$ 753,626

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes in unrealized losses on investments,

net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Translation adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—
—

Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options, net . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based compensation expense . . . . . . . .
Exercise of warrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of call spread option . . . . . . . . . . .

—
1,847,455
—
12,958
—

—

—
—

—
19
—
—
—

—

—
—

—
36,816
19,572
—
(42,500)

—

82,788

82,788

846
(1,013)

—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—
—
—
—
—

846
(1,013)

82,621
36,835
19,572
—
(42,500)

Balance at October 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . .

86,752,069

868

5,519,741

(1,243)

(4,669,212)

850,154

Cummulative effect of adopting FIN 48 . . . . .

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes in unrealized gains on investments,

net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Translation adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options, net . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit from employee stock option

plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based compensation expense . . . . . . . .
Issuance of common stock for acquisitions,

—

—

—
—

—
1,253,350

—
—

net of issuance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,465,384

—

—

—
—

—
12

—
—

25

—

—

—
—

—
5,764

318
31,428

72,247

—

—

(1,479)
1,447

—
—

—

—

139

38,894

—
—

—
—

—

—

139

38,894

(1,479)
1,447

38,862
5,776

318
31,428

72,272

Balance at October 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . .

90,470,803

905

5,629,498

(1,275)

(4,630,179)

998,949

Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes in unrealized gains on investments,

net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Translation adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—
—

Comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options, net . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based compensation expense . . . . . . . .

—
1,567,557
—

—

—
—

—
15
—

—

—
—

—
1,092
34,438

—

(581,154)

(581,154)

1,404
1,094

—
—
—

—
—

—
—
—

1,404
1,094

(578,656)
1,107
34,438

Balance at October 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . .

92,038,360

$920

$5,665,028

$ 1,223

$(5,211,333)

$ 455,838

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

66

CIENA CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

2007

Year Ended October 31,
2008
(In thousands)

2009

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

$ 82,788

$ 38,894

$ (581,154)

Early extinguishment of debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of discount on marketable debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Realized loss due to impairment of marketable debt investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss on cost method investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation of equipment, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold

improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based compensation costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition:

Accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts payable, accruals and other obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
(14,191)
13,013
—

12,833
—
19,572
29,220
—
12,180
12,743
2,544

3,094
(8,713)
(20,568)
(60,524)
1,787
22,964
108,742

(932)
(2,878)
5,101
—

18,599
—
31,428
37,956
1,640
18,325
15,336
5,243

(32,471)
3,713
1,649
(23,945)
(7,655)
7,616
117,619

Cash flows from investing activities:

Payments for equipment, furniture, fixtures and intellectual property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restricted cash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of available for sale securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from maturities of available for sale securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Minority equity investments, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(32,105)
(13,277)
(864,012)
989,705
—
(181)

(29,998)
1,340
(571,511)
901,433
—
—
— (210,016)
91,248

80,130

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repayment of 3.75% convertible notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repurchase of 0.25% convertible notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Debt issuance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of call spread option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repayment of indebtedness of acquired business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Excess tax benefit from employee stock option plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

500,000

—
— (542,262)
(1,034)
—
—
(11,750)
(42,500)
—
(12,363)
—
318
—
36,835
5,776
(549,565)
482,585
(694)
440
(341,392)
671,897
892,061
220,164
$ 550,669
$ 892,061

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

Cash paid during the period for:

Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes, net

$ 21,504
1,157
$

$ 15,339
3,120
$

Non-cash investing and financing activities

Purchase of equipment in accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Value of common stock issued in acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fair value of vested options assumed in acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$
$
$

3,062

$
2,316
— $ 62,360
9,912
— $

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

67

—
(907)
—
5,328

21,933
455,673
34,438
31,429
(883)
15,719
19,286
2,044

20,097
(10,353)
(9,678)
2,943
—
1,506
7,421

(24,114)
(4,116)
(1,214,218)
645,119
523,137
—
—
(74,192)

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,107
1,107
700
(64,964)
550,669
485,705

4,748
584

1,481
—
—

$

$
$

$
$
$

CIENA CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) CIENA CORPORATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Description of Business

Ciena is a provider of communications networking equipment, software and services that support the
transport, switching, aggregation and management of voice, video and data traffic. Ciena’s optical service
delivery and carrier Ethernet service delivery products are used individually, or as part of an integrated
solution, in communications networks operated by service providers, cable operators, governments and
enterprises around the globe. Ciena is a network specialist targeting the transition of disparate, legacy
communications networks to converged, next-generation architectures, better able to handle increased traffic
and deliver more efficiently a broader mix of high-bandwidth communications services. Ciena’s products,
along with its embedded, network element software and unified service and transport management, enable
service providers to efficiently and cost-effectively deliver critical enterprise and consumer-oriented communi-
cation services. Ciena’s principal executive offices are located at 1201 Winterson Road, Linthicum, Maryland
21090.

Principles of Consolidation

Ciena has 13 wholly owned U.S. and international subsidiaries, which have been consolidated in the

accompanying financial statements.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ciena and its wholly owned

subsidiaries. All material inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Pending Acquisition of Nortel Metro Ethernet Networks (“MEN”) Assets

Ciena has entered into definitive asset purchase agreements, as amended, relating to the acquisition of
substantially all of the optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s MEN business. In accordance
with these agreements, Ciena will pay the sellers a purchase price of $530 million in cash and issue them
$239 million in aggregate principal amount of 6% senior convertible notes due June 2017. Additional details
regarding this pending transaction and the terms of the notes to be issued are set forth in Note 22 below.

Fiscal Year

Ciena has a 52 or 53 week fiscal year, which ends on the Saturday nearest to the last day of October in
each year (November 3, 2007, November 1, 2008 and October 31, 2009 for the periods reported). For purposes
of financial statement presentation, each fiscal year is described as having ended on October 31. Fiscal 2008
and fiscal 2009 consisted of 52 weeks and fiscal 2007 consisted of 53 weeks.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting

principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and judgments that
affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are
used for bad debts, valuation of inventories and investments, recoverability of intangible assets, other long-
lived assets and goodwill, income taxes, warranty obligations, restructuring liabilities and contingencies and
litigation. Ciena bases its estimates on historical experience and assumptions that it believes are reasonable.
Actual results may differ materially from management’s estimates.

68

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Ciena considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to

be cash equivalents. Restricted cash collateralizing letters of credits are included in other current assets and
other long-term assets depending upon the duration of the restriction.

Investments

Ciena’s investments are principally in marketable debt securities that are classified as available-for-sale
and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive
income. Realized gains or losses and declines in value on available-for-sale securities determined to be
other-than-temporary are reported in other income or expensed as incurred. Ciena considers all marketable
debt securities that it expects to convert to cash within one year or less to be classified as short-term
investments. All others are considered long-term investments.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost computed using standard cost, which

approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis. Ciena records a provision for excess and obsolete
inventory when an impairment has been identified.

Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures

Equipment, furniture and fixtures are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using

the straight-line method over useful lives of two years to five years for equipment, furniture and fixtures and
the shorter of useful life or lease term for leasehold improvements. Upon a triggering event or changes in
circumstances, a review of the fair value of our equipment, furniture and fixtures is performed and an
impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of the asset or asset group is determined to not be
recoverable and exceeds its fair value. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying
amount of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value.

Qualifying internal use software and website development costs incurred during the application develop-
ment stage that consist primarily of outside services and purchased software license costs, are capitalized and
amortized straight-line over the estimated useful life.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Ciena has recorded goodwill and intangible assets as a result of several acquisitions. Ciena tests the

reporting unit’s goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, which Ciena has determined to be the last
business day of its fiscal September each year. Testing is required between annual tests if events occur or
circumstances change that would, more likely than not, reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its
carrying value. Ciena operates its business and tests its goodwill for impairment as a single reporting unit. See
Note 4 below.

Finite-lived intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed
using the straight-line method over the economic lives of the respective assets, generally three to seven years,
which approximates the use of intangible assets. Upon a triggering event or changes in circumstances, a review
of the fair value of our finite-lived intangible assets is performed. Impairments of finite-lived intangible assets
are recognized only if the carrying amount of the asset or asset group is determined to not be recoverable and
exceeds its fair value. Upon a triggering event or changes in circumstances, a review of the fair value of our
finite-lived intangible assets is performed and an impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the
carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value.

69

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

Minority Equity Investments

Ciena has certain minority equity investments in privately held technology companies that are classified
as other assets. These investments are carried at cost because Ciena owns less than 20% of the voting equity
and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over these companies. These investments involve
a high degree of risk as the markets for the technologies or products manufactured by these companies are
usually early stage at the time of Ciena’s investment and such markets may never be significant. Ciena could
lose its entire investment in some or all of these companies. Ciena monitors these investments for impairment
and makes appropriate reductions in carrying values when necessary.

Concentrations

Substantially all of Ciena’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments in
marketable debt securities are maintained at three major U.S. financial institutions. The majority of Ciena’s
cash equivalents consist of money market funds. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of
insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and, therefore,
management believes that they bear minimal risk.

Historically, a large percentage of Ciena’s revenue has been the result of sales to a small number of
communications service providers. Consolidation among Ciena’s customers has further increased this concen-
tration. Consequently, Ciena’s accounts receivable are concentrated among these customers. See Notes 7 and
21 below.

Additionally, Ciena’s access to certain materials or components is dependent upon sole or limited source
suppliers. The inability of any supplier to fulfill Ciena’s supply requirements could affect future results. Ciena
relies on a small number of contract manufacturers, principally in China and Thailand, to perform the majority
of the manufacturing for its products. If Ciena cannot effectively manage these manufacturers and forecast
future demand, or if they fail to deliver products or components on time, Ciena’s business and results of
operations may suffer.

Revenue Recognition

Ciena recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an

arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the price to the buyer is fixed or
determinable; and collectibility is reasonably assured. Customer purchase agreements and customer purchase
orders are generally used to determine the existence of an arrangement. Shipping documents and evidence of
customer acceptance, when applicable, are used to verify delivery. Ciena assesses whether the price is fixed or
determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject
to refund or adjustment. Ciena assesses collectibility based primarily on the creditworthiness of the customer
as determined by credit checks and analysis, as well as the customer’s payment history. In instances where
final acceptance of the product, system, or solution is specified by the customer, revenue is deferred until all
acceptance criteria have been met. Revenue for maintenance services is generally deferred and recognized
ratably over the period during which the services are to be performed.

Some of Ciena’s communications networking equipment is integrated with software that is essential to the

functionality of the equipment. Software revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is probable. In instances where
final acceptance of the product is specified by the customer, revenue is deferred until all acceptance criteria
have been met.

Arrangements with customers may include multiple deliverables, including any combination of equip-

ment, services and software. If multiple element arrangements include software or software-related elements
that are essential to the equipment, Ciena allocates the arrangement fee to be allocated to those separate units

70

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

of accounting. Multiple element arrangements that include software are separated into more than one unit of
accounting if the functionality of the delivered element(s) is not dependent on the undelivered element(s),
there is vendor-specific objective evidence of the fair value of the undelivered element(s), and general revenue
recognition criteria related to the delivered element(s) have been met. The amount of product and services
revenue recognized is affected by Ciena’s judgments as to whether an arrangement includes multiple elements
and, if so, whether vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value exists. Changes to the elements in an
arrangement and Ciena’s ability to establish vendor-specific objective evidence for those elements could affect
the timing of revenue recognition. For all other deliverables, Ciena separates the elements into more than one
unit of accounting if the delivered element(s) have value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, objective and
reliable evidence of fair value exists for the undelivered element(s), and delivery of the undelivered element(s)
is probable and substantially in Ciena’s control. Revenue is allocated to each unit of accounting based on the
relative fair value of each accounting unit or using the residual method if objective evidence of fair value does
not exist for the delivered element(s). The revenue recognition criteria described above are applied to each
separate unit of accounting. If these criteria are not met, revenue is deferred until the criteria are met or the
last element has been delivered.

Warranty Accruals

Ciena provides for the estimated costs to fulfill customer warranty obligations upon the recognition of the

related revenue. Estimated warranty costs include material costs, technical support labor costs and associated
overhead. The warranty liability is included in cost of goods sold and determined based upon actual warranty
cost experience, estimates of failure rates and management’s industry experience. Ciena’s sales contracts do
not permit the right of return of product by the customer after the product has been accepted.

Accounts Receivable, Net

Ciena’s allowance for doubtful accounts receivable is based on its assessment, on a specific identification

basis, of the collectibility of customer accounts. Ciena performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers
and generally has not required collateral or other forms of security from its customers. In determining the
appropriate balance for Ciena’s allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, management considers each
individual customer account receivable in order to determine collectibility. In doing so, management considers
creditworthiness, payment history, account activity and communication with such customer. If a customer’s
financial condition changes, Ciena may be required to take a charge for an allowance for doubtful accounts
receivable.

Research and Development

Ciena charges all research and development costs to expense as incurred. Research and development
expense includes costs related to employee compensation, prototypes, consulting, depreciation, facilities and
information technologies.

Advertising Costs

Ciena expenses all advertising costs as incurred.

Legal Costs

Ciena expenses legal costs associated with litigation defense as incurred.

71

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

Share-Based Compensation Expense

Ciena measures and recognizes compensation expense for share-based awards based on estimated fair
values on the date of grant. Ciena estimates the fair value of each option-based award on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This model is affected by Ciena’s stock price as well as
estimates regarding a number of variables including expected stock price volatility over the expected term of
the award and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Ciena estimates the fair value of each
share-based award based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. In each case,
Ciena only recognizes expense to its consolidated statement of operations for those options or shares that are
expected ultimately to vest. Ciena uses two attribution methods to record expense, the straight-line method for
grants with service-based vesting and the graded-vesting method, which considers each performance period or
tranche separately, for all other awards. See Note 18 below.

Income Taxes

Ciena accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that recognizes deferred tax assets

and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their respective tax bases, and for
operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. In estimating future tax consequences, Ciena considers all
expected future events other than the enactment of changes in tax laws or rates. Valuation allowances are
provided, if, based upon the weight of the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the
deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Ciena adopted the accounting guidance on uncertainty related to income tax positions at the beginning of

fiscal 2008. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits increased by $1.8 million during fiscal 2009 to
$7.4 million, which includes $1.2 million of interest and some minor penalties. Ciena classified interest and
penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. All of the uncertain tax
positions, if recognized, would decrease the effective income tax rate.

In the ordinary course of business, transactions occur for which the ultimate outcome may be uncertain.
In addition, tax authorities periodically audit Ciena’s income tax returns. These audits examine significant tax
filing positions, including the timing and amounts of deductions and the allocation of income tax expenses
among tax jurisdictions. Ciena’s major tax jurisdictions include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada
and India, with open tax years beginning with fiscal years 2006, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. However,
limited adjustments can be made to Federal tax returns in earlier years in order to reduce net operating loss
carryforwards.

Ciena has not provided U.S. deferred income taxes on the cumulative unremitted earnings of its
non-U.S. affiliates as it plans to permanently reinvest cumulative unremitted foreign earnings outside the
U.S. and it is not practicable to determine the unrecognized deferred income taxes. These cumulative
unremitted foreign earnings relate to ongoing operations in foreign jurisdictions and are required to fund
foreign operations, capital expenditures, and any expansion requirements.

Ciena recognizes windfall tax benefits associated with the exercise of stock options or release of restricted

stock units directly to stockholders’ equity only when realized. A windfall tax benefit occurs when the actual
tax benefit realized by Ciena upon an employee’s disposition of a share-based award exceeds the deferred tax
asset, if any, associated with the award that Ciena had recorded. When assessing whether a tax benefit relating
to share-based compensation has been realized, Ciena follows the tax law “with-and-without” method. Under
the with-and-without method, the windfall is considered realized and recognized for financial statement
purposes only when an incremental benefit is provided after considering all other tax benefits including
Ciena’s net operating losses. The with-and-without method results in the windfall from share-based compensa-
tion awards always being effectively the last tax benefit to be considered. Consequently, the windfall

72

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

attributable to share-based compensation will not be considered realized in instances where Ciena’s net
operating loss carryover (that is unrelated to windfalls) is sufficient to offset the current year’s taxable income
before considering the effects of current-year windfalls.

Loss Contingencies

Ciena is subject to the possibility of various losses arising in the ordinary course of business. These may
relate to disputes, litigation and other legal actions. Ciena considers the likelihood of loss or the incurrence of
a liability, as well as Ciena’s ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss, in determining loss
contingencies. An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred
and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Ciena regularly evaluates current information available to
it to determine whether any accruals should be adjusted and whether new accruals are required.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of Ciena’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and
accrued liabilities, approximates fair market value due to the relatively short period of time to maturity. The
fair value of investments in marketable debt securities is determined using quoted market prices for those
securities or similar financial instruments. For information related to the fair value of Ciena’s convertible
notes, see Note 6 below.

Fair value for the measurement of financial assets and liabilities is defined as the price that would be
received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at
the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on
assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Ciena utilizes a valuation
hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs for fair value measurement. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into
three broad levels as follows:

(cid:129) Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

(cid:129) Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in less active markets or
model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either
directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial
instrument;

(cid:129) Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on Ciena’s assumptions used to measure assets and

liabilities at fair value.

By distinguishing between inputs that are observable in the marketplace, and therefore more objective,
and those that are unobservable and therefore more subjective, the hierarchy is designed to indicate the relative
reliability of the fair value measurements. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is
determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Restructuring

Ciena has previously taken actions to align its workforce, facilities and operating costs with perceived

market opportunities and business conditions. Ciena implements these restructuring plans and incurs the
associated liability concurrently. Generally accepted accounting principles require that a liability for the cost
associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized in the period in which the liability is incurred, except
for one-time employee termination benefits related to a service period of more than 60 days, which are
accrued over the service period.

73

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

Foreign Currency

Some of Ciena’s foreign branch offices and subsidiaries use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency

because Ciena, as the U.S. parent entity, exclusively funds the operations of these branch offices and
subsidiaries with U.S. dollars. For those subsidiaries using the local currency as their functional currency,
assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and the statement of
operations is translated at a monthly average rate. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded directly to a
separate component of stockholders’ equity. Where the U.S. dollar is the functional currency of foreign branch
offices or subsidiaries, re-measurement adjustments are recorded in other income. The net gain (loss) on
foreign currency re-measurement and exchange rate changes is immaterial for separate financial statement
presentation.

Derivatives

Occasionally, Ciena uses foreign currency forward contracts to hedge certain forecasted foreign currency
transactions relating to operating expenses. These derivatives, designated as cash flow hedges, have maturities
of less than one year and permit net settlement.

At the inception of the cash flow hedge and on an ongoing basis, Ciena assesses the hedging relationship

to determine its effectiveness in offsetting changes in cash flows attributable to the hedged risk during the
hedge period. The effective portion of the hedging instrument’s net gain or loss is initially reported as a
component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), and upon occurrence of the forecasted
transaction, is subsequently reclassified into the operating expense line item to which the hedged transaction
relates. Any net gain or loss associated with the ineffectiveness of the hedging instrument is reported in
interest and other income, net. See Note 13 below.

Computation of Basic Net Income (Loss) per Common Share and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Potential
Common Share

Ciena calculates basic earnings per share (EPS) by dividing earnings attributable to common stock by the

weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS includes the potential
dilution of common stock equivalent shares that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common
stock were exercised or converted into common stock. Ciena uses a dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS
on the face of its income statement. A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used for the basic and
diluted EPS computations is set forth in Note 15.

Software Development Costs

Generally accepted accounting principles require the capitalization of certain software development costs

incurred subsequent to the date technological feasibility is established and prior to the date the product is
generally available for sale. The capitalized cost is then amortized straight-line over the estimated life of the
product. Ciena defines technological feasibility as being attained at the time a working model is completed. To
date, the period between Ciena achieving technological feasibility and the general availability of such software
has been short, and software development costs qualifying for capitalization have been insignificant. Accord-
ingly, Ciena has not capitalized any software development costs.

Segment Reporting

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial informa-
tion is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in
deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Ciena’s chief operating decision maker is its
chief executive officer, who reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of

74

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. Ciena has one business activity, and there are no
segment managers who are held accountable for operations, operating results and plans for levels or
components below the consolidated unit level. Accordingly, Ciena considers its business to be in a single
reportable segment.

Newly Issued Accounting Standards

In October 2009, the FASB amended the accounting standards for revenue recognition with multiple

deliverables. The amended guidance allows the use of management’s best estimate of selling price for
individual elements of an arrangement when vendor specific objective evidence or third-party evidence is
unavailable. Additionally, it eliminates the residual method of revenue recognition in accounting for multiple
deliverable arrangements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, early
adoption is permitted. Ciena is currently evaluating the impact this new guidance could have on its financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In October 2009, the FASB amended the accounting standards for revenue arrangements with software

elements. The amended guidance modifies the scope of the software revenue recognition guidance to exclude
tangible products that contain both software and non-software components that function together to deliver the
product’s essential functionality. The pronouncement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15,
2010, early adoption is permitted. This guidance must be adopted in the same period an entity adopts the
amended revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables guidance described above. Ciena is currently
evaluating the impact this new guidance could have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows.

In May 2008, the FASB issued new guidance on accounting for convertible debt instruments. This new

guidance requires that the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments that may be settled
in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) be separately accounted for in a manner that
reflects an issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The resulting debt discount is amortized over the
period the convertible debt is expected to be outstanding as additional non-cash interest expense. This
guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and
interim periods within those fiscal years. Retrospective application to all periods presented is required except
for instruments that were not outstanding during any of the periods that will be presented in the annual
financial statements for the period of adoption but were outstanding during an earlier period. Ciena’s existing
convertible notes payable do not provide for settlement in cash upon conversion and Ciena believes this new
guidance will not have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In April 2008, the FASB issued new guidance which amends the factors that should be considered in
developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset.
This guidance requires enhanced disclosures concerning a company’s treatment of costs incurred to renew or
extend the term of a recognized intangible asset. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2008. Ciena is currently evaluating the impact this new guidance could have on its financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In February 2008, the FASB issued new guidance on fair value measurements related to lease

transactions. This guidance removes certain leasing transactions from its scope. Also, in February 2008 the
FASB delayed the effective date of fair value measurements for all non-financial assets and non-financial
liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a
recurring basis (at least annually), until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. In October 2008, the
FASB clarified the application of fair value in a market that is not active, and provided guidance on the key
considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not
active. Ciena is currently evaluating the impact this new guidance could have on its financial condition, results
of operations and cash flows.

75

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance which requires all entities to report noncontrolling
(minority) interests in subsidiaries as equity in the consolidated financial statements. This guidance is effective
for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008.
Earlier adoption is prohibited. Ciena believes this new guidance will not have a material impact on its financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance on business combinations. The new guidance is

intended to simplify existing guidance and converge rulemaking under U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles with international accounting rules. This guidance applies prospectively to business combinations
where the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or
after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply this guidance before that date. As of October 31, 2009,
Ciena’s consolidated balance sheet includes $12.5 million of capitalized acquisition costs which include direct
costs related to its pending acquisition of substantially all of the optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets
of Nortel’s MEN business. Upon the adoption of this newly issued accounting guidance, Ciena will expense
these acquisition costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Future acquisition costs will be expensed as incurred.
See Notes 9 and 22 below for further discussion of Ciena’s pending business combination. Ciena is currently
evaluating any additional impacts this guidance could have on its financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows.

(2) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On March 3, 2008, Ciena acquired World Wide Packets, Inc. (“World Wide Packets” or “WWP”)

pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January 22, 2008 (the “Merger Agreement”)
by and among Ciena, World Wide Packets, Wolverine Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary
of Ciena (“Merger Sub”), and Daniel Reiner, as stockholders’ representative. Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, on March 3, 2008, Merger Sub was merged with and into World Wide Packets, with World Wide
Packets continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ciena. World Wide Packets
is a supplier of communications networking equipment that enables the cost-effective delivery of a wide
variety of carrier Ethernet-based services. Prior to the acquisition, World Wide Packets was a privately held
company. Ciena’s results of operations for fiscal 2008 in these financial statements include the operations of
World Wide Packets beginning on March 3, 2008, the effective date of the acquisition.

Upon the closing of the acquisition, all of the outstanding shares of World Wide Packets’ common stock

and preferred stock were exchanged for approximately 2.5 million shares of Ciena common stock and
approximately $196.7 million in cash. Of this amount, $20.0 million in cash and 340,000 shares of Ciena
common stock were placed into escrow for a period of one year as security for the indemnification obligations
of World Wide Packets’ stockholders under the Merger Agreement. Upon the closing, Ciena also assumed all
then outstanding World Wide Packets options and exchanged them for options to acquire approximately
0.9 million shares of Ciena common stock. Under the Merger Agreement, Ciena also agreed to indemnify
certain officers and directors of World Wide Packets against third-party claims arising out of their employment
relationship. Ciena has determined the fair value of this indemnification obligation to be insignificant.

The following table summarizes the purchase price for the acquisition (in thousands):

Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $196,668
14,183
Acquisition-related costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
62,360
Value of common stock issued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9,912
Fair value of vested options assumed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total purchase price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $283,123

Amount

76

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

The value of Ciena’s common stock issued in the acquisition was based on the average closing price of

Ciena’s common stock for the two trading days prior to, the date of, and the two trading days after the
announcement of the acquisition. The fair value of the vested options assumed was determined using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, which requires the total

purchase price to be allocated to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities based on their estimated fair
values. The amount of the purchase price in excess of the amounts assigned to acquired tangible or intangible
assets and assumed liabilities is recognized as goodwill. Amounts allocated to goodwill are not tax deductible.
As set forth below, Ciena recorded acquired, finite-lived intangible assets related to developed technology,
covenants not to compete, and customer relationships, outstanding purchase orders and contracts. The
following table summarizes the allocation of the acquisition purchase price based on the estimated fair value
of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities (in thousands):

Amount

Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equipment, furniture and fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other tangible assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Developed technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Covenants not to compete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer relationships, outstanding purchase orders and contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred revenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Promissory notes and loans payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

835
2,049
12,872
2,691
2,003
42,400
3,200
19,100
223,658
(13,322)
(12,363)

Total purchase price allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $283,123

Under purchase accounting rules, Ciena revalued the acquired finished goods inventory to fair value,
which is defined as the estimated selling price less the sum of (a) costs of disposal, and (b) a reasonable profit
allowance for Ciena’s selling effort. This revaluation resulted in an increase in inventory carrying value of
approximately $5.3 million for marketable inventory, slightly offset by a decrease of $0.7 million for
unmarketable inventory.

Developed technology represents purchased technology which had reached technological feasibility and

for which World Wide Packets had substantially completed development as of the date of acquisition. Fair
value was determined using future discounted cash flows related to the projected income stream of the
developed technology for a discrete projection period. Cash flows were discounted to their present value as of
the closing date. Developed technology is amortized on a straight line basis over its estimated useful life of
4 years to 6 years.

Covenants not to compete represent agreements entered into with key employees of World Wide Packets.

Covenants not to compete are amortized on a straight line basis over estimated useful lives of 3.5 years.

Customer relationships, outstanding purchase orders and contracts represent agreements with existing

World Wide Packets’ customers and have estimated useful lives of 4 months to 6 years.

The following unaudited pro forma financial information summarizes the results of operations for the
periods indicated as if Ciena’s acquisition of World Wide Packets had been completed as of the beginning of
each of the periods presented. These pro forma amounts (in thousands, except per share data) do not purport

77

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

to be indicative of the results that would have actually been obtained if the acquisition occurred as of the
beginning of the periods presented or that may be obtained in the future.

Pro forma revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $802,323

$909,098

Pro forma net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 39,721

$ 22,179

Pro forma basic net income per common share. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

0.45

Pro forma diluted net income per potential common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

0.43

$

$

0.25

0.24

Years Ended October 31,

2007

2008

(3) RESTRUCTURING COSTS

The following table displays the activity and balances of the historical restructuring liability accounts for

the fiscal years indicated (in thousands):

Balance at October 31, 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional liability recorded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustment to previous estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lease settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance at October 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional liability recorded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance at October 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional liability recorded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustment to previous estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance at October 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Current restructuring liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Workforce
Reduction

Consolidation
of Excess
Facilities

$ —

$ 35,634

72(a)
—
—
(72)

—
1,057(b)
(75)

982
4,117(c)
—
(4,929)

1(a)
(2,508)(a)
(4,871)(a)

(23,568)

4,688

53(b)

(1,498)

3,243
3,419(c)
3,670(c)
(897)

Total

$ 35,634
73
(2,508)
(4,871)
(23,640)

4,688
1,110
(1,573)

4,225
7,536
3,670
(5,826)

$

$

170

170

$ 9,435

$ 9,605

$ 1,641

$ 1,811

Non-current restructuring liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ —

$ 7,794

$ 7,794

(a) During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, Ciena recorded a charge of $0.1 million related to other costs asso-

ciated with a previous workforce reduction and an adjustment of $0.5 million related to costs associated
with previously restructured facilities.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2007, Ciena recorded an adjustment of $0.8 million related to its
return to use of a facility that had been previously restructured.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, Ciena recorded an adjustment of $1.2 million primarily related to
its return to use of a facility that had been previously restructured.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, Ciena recorded a gain on lease settlement of $4.9 million related
to the termination of lease obligations for our former San Jose, CA facilities. Ciena paid $53.0 million in
connection with the settlement of this lease obligation. This transaction eliminated Ciena’s remaining

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

unfavorable lease commitment balance of $34.9 million and reduced Ciena’s restructuring liabilities by
$23.5 million, offset by approximately $0.5 million of other expenses.

(b) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, Ciena recorded a charge of $1.0 million related to a workforce
reduction of 56 employees and a charge of approximately $0.1 million related to the closure of a facility
located in San Antonio, Texas.

(c) During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, Ciena recorded a charge of $0.1 million in other costs associated

with a previous workforce reduction.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2009, Ciena recorded a charge of $3.5 million of severance and other
employee-related costs associated with a workforce reduction of 200 employees and an adjustment of
$2.9 million associated with previously restructured facilities.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, Ciena recorded a charge of $0.5 million of severance and other
employee-related costs and a charge of $3.4 million related to the Acton, MA facility closure.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, Ciena recorded an adjustment of $0.8 million associated with
previously restructured facilities.

(4) GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSET ASSESSMENT

Goodwill

The table below sets forth changes in carrying amount of goodwill during the fiscal years indicated (in

thousands):

Total

Balance as October 31, 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impairment losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 232,015
—
—

Balance as October 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impairment losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance as October 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

232,015
223,658
—

455,673
—

Impairment losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(455,673)

Balance as October 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

—

Ciena determines the fair value of its single reporting unit to be equal to its market capitalization plus a
control premium. Market capitalization is determined by multiplying the shares outstanding on the assessment
date by the average market price of Ciena’s common stock over a 10-day period before and a 10-day period
after each assessment date. Ciena uses this 20-day duration to consider inherent market fluctuations that may
affect any individual closing price. Ciena believes that its market capitalization alone does not fully capture
the fair value of its business as a whole, or the substantial value that an acquirer would obtain from its ability
to obtain control of Ciena’s business. As such, in determining fair value, Ciena added a control premium —
which seeks to give effect to the increased consideration a potential acquirer would be required to pay in order
to gain sufficient ownership to set policies, direct operations and make decisions related to Ciena — to its
market capitalization. In determining an appropriate control premium, Ciena looked to recent transaction data
in its industry. For fiscal 2007, 2008 and 2009, Ciena used a 25% control premium in its goodwill assessment.

Based on a combination of factors, including macroeconomic conditions and a sustained decline in

Ciena’s common stock price and market capitalization below net book value, Ciena conducted an interim

79

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

impairment assessment of goodwill during the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Ciena performed the step one fair
value comparison, and its market capitalization was $721.8 million and its carrying value, including goodwill,
was $949.0 million. Ciena applied a 25% control premium to its market capitalization to determine a fair
value of $902.2 million. Because step one indicated that Ciena’s fair value was less than its carrying value,
Ciena performed the step two analysis. Under the step two analysis, the implied fair value of goodwill requires
valuation of a reporting unit’s tangible and intangible assets and liabilities in a manner similar to the allocation
of purchase price in a business combination. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its
implied fair value, goodwill is deemed impaired and is written down to the extent of the difference. The
implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill was determined to be $0, and, as a result, Ciena recorded a
goodwill impairment of $455.7 million, representing the full carrying value of the goodwill.

Ciena also performed assessments of the fair value of its single reporting unit as of September 27, 2008

and September 29, 2007. Ciena compared its fair value on each assessment date to its carrying value, including
goodwill, and determined that the carrying value, including goodwill, did not exceed fair value. Because the
carrying amount was less than its fair value, no impairment loss was recorded.

Long-Lived Assets

Ciena’s long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, include: equipment, furniture and fixtures; finite-lived

intangible assets; and maintenance spares. Ciena tests long-lived assets for impairment whenever triggering
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets’ carrying amount is not recoverable from its
undiscounted cash flows. Ciena’s long-lived assets are part of a single reporting unit which represents the
lowest level for which it can identify cash flows.

Due to effects of difficult macroeconomic conditions on Ciena’s business, including lengthening sales
cycles and slowing deployments resulting in lower demand, Ciena performed an impairment analysis of its
long-lived assets during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Based on
Ciena’s estimate of future, undiscounted cash flows as of October 31, 2008 and April 30, 2009, respectively,
no impairment was required. There were no triggering events or changes in circumstances that required a
reassessment as of October 31, 2009. If actual market conditions differ or forecasts change, Ciena may be
required to record a non-cash impairment charge related to long-lived assets in future periods. Such charges
would have the effect of decreasing Ciena’s earnings or increasing its losses in such period.

(5) MARKETABLE DEBT SECURITIES

As of the dates indicated, short-term and long-term investments in marketable debt securities are

comprised of the following (in thousands):

October 31, 2009

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Amortized
Cost

US government obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publicly traded equity securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$570,505
251

$570,756

Included in short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Included in long-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . .

562,781
7,975

$460
—

$460

404
56

$570,756

$460

$ 2
—

$ 2

2
—

$ 2

Estimated
Fair
Value

$570,963
251

$571,214

563,183
8,031

$571,214

80

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

October 31, 2008

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Corporate bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Asset backed obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
US government obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certificate of deposit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Amortized
Cost

$116,531
10,188
49,871
334,195
13,000

$

81
—
7
949
—

Included in short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Included in long-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . .

366,054
157,731

812
225

$523,785

$1,037

Estimated
Fair
Value

$114,352
10,181
49,870
335,104
13,000

$522,507

366,336
156,171

$2,260
7
8
40
—

$2,315

530
1,785

$523,785

$1,037

$2,315

$522,507

As of October 31, 2007 the estimated fair value of commercial paper included investments in SIV
Portfolio plc (formerly known as Cheyne Finance plc) and Rhinebridge LLC, two structured investment
vehicles (SIVs) that entered into receivership during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 and failed to make
payment at maturity. Due to their mortgage-related assets, each of these entities was exposed to adverse
market conditions that affected its collateral and its ability to access short-term funding. Ciena purchased these
investments in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and, at the time of purchase, each investment had a rating of
A1+ by Standard and Poor’s and P-1 by Moody’s, their highest ratings respectively. In estimating fair value,
Ciena used a valuation approach based on a liquidation of assets held by each SIV and their subsequent
distribution of cash. Ciena utilized assessments of the underlying collateral from multiple indicators of value
which were then discounted to reflect the expected timing of disposition and market risks. Based on this
assessment of fair value, as of October 31, 2007, Ciena recognized realized losses of $13.0 million related to
these investments. Giving effect to these losses, our investment portfolio at October 31, 2007 included an
estimated fair value of $33.9 million in commercial paper issued by these entities. During fiscal 2008, Ciena
recognized additional losses of $5.1 million related to these investments, received payments of $28.8 million
in connection with the restructuring of these SIVs, and, as of October 31, 2008, no longer held these
investments.

Gross unrealized losses related to marketable debt investments, included in short-term and long-term
investments, were primarily due to changes in interest rates. Ciena’s management has determined that the gross
unrealized losses at October 31, 2009 and October 31, 2008 are temporary in nature because Ciena has the
ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity. As of the
dates indicated, gross unrealized losses were as follows (in thousands):

Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months
Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

October 31, 2009
Unrealized Losses 12
Months or Greater
Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Total

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

US government

obligations . . . . . . . . . .

$2

$2

$37,744

$37,744

$—

$—

$—

$—

$2

$2

81

Fair Value

$37,744

$37,744

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months
Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

October 31, 2008
Unrealized Losses 12
Months or Greater
Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Total

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

$2,260

$ 88,176

$—

$—

$2,260

$ 88,176

7
8

40

10,181
29,709

23,438

—
—

—

—
—

—

7
8

40

10,181
29,709

23,438

$2,315

$151,504

$—

$—

$2,315

$151,504

Corporate bonds . . . . . . .
Asset backed

obligations . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial paper . . . . . .
US government

obligations . . . . . . . . . .

The following table summarizes legal maturities of marketable debt investments at October 31, 2009 (in

thousands):

Less than one year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Due in 1-2 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Amortized Cost

Estimated Fair Value

$562,530
7,975

$570,505

$562,932
8,031

$570,963

(6) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

As of the dates indicated, the following table summarizes the fair value of assets that are recorded at fair

value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

Level 1

October 31, 2009
Level 3

Level 2

Total

Assets:
US government obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publicly traded equity securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ — $570,963
—
251

Total assets measured at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$251

$570,963

$—
—

$—

$570,963
251

$571,214

Ciena’s Level 1 assets include corporate equity securities publicly traded on major exchanges that are
valued using quoted prices in active markets. Ciena’s Level 2 investments include U.S. government obliga-
tions. These investments are valued using observable inputs such as quoted market prices, benchmark yields,
reported trades, broker/dealer quotes or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.
Investments are held by a custodian who obtains investment prices from a third party pricing provider that
uses standard inputs to models which vary by asset class.

As of October 31, 2009, Ciena did not hold financial assets or liabilities recorded at fair value based on

Level 3 inputs.

82

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

As of the dates indicated, the assets and liabilities above were presented on Ciena’s Consolidated Balance

Sheet as follows (in thousands):

Level 1

October 31, 2009
Level 3

Level 2

Total

Assets:
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$251
—

$562,932
8,031

Total assets measured at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$251

$570,963

$—
—

$—

$563,183
8,031

$571,214

During fiscal 2009, a private technology company in which Ciena holds a minority equity investment
completed a round of equity financing and merged with another private technology company. These events
required Ciena to perform an impairment analysis and measure the investment at fair value. In determining
fair value, Ciena utilized Level 3 inputs including the recapitalization resulting from both the completion of
the merger and the equity financing. Also, during fiscal 2009, a separate private technology company in which
Ciena held a minority equity investment was acquired by a publicly-traded company. This event required
Ciena to perform an impairment analysis and measure the investment at fair value. In determining fair value,
Ciena utilized Level 2 inputs including the relevant exchange ratio for the acquisition transaction and the
market price of the acquirer’s common stock. Based on Ciena’s ownership interest and the value of its
investment following these events, Ciena recorded a non-cash loss on cost method investments of $5.3 million.

At October 31, 2009, the fair value of the outstanding $500.0 million of 0.875% convertible senior notes

and $298.0 million of 0.25% convertible senior notes was $299.1 million and $231.1 million, respectively. Fair
value is based on the quoted market price for the notes on the dates above.

(7) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

As of October 31, 2009, one customer accounted for 10.7% of net trade accounts receivable. As of
October 31, 2008, three customers each accounted for 10% or more of net trade accounts receivable and
59.0% in the aggregate. Ciena’s allowance for doubtful accounts as of October 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 was
$0.1 million.

The following table summarizes the activity in Ciena’s allowance for doubtful accounts for the fiscal

years indicated (in thousands):

Year Ended
October 31,

Balance at
Beginning
of Period

Net
Provisions
(Recovery)

Deductions

2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$146
$132
$124

$ (14)
$157
$ 93

$ —
$165
$101

Balance at
End of
Period

$132
$124
$116

83

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

(8)

INVENTORIES

As of the dates indicated, inventories are comprised of the following (in thousands):

Raw materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 19,044
1,702
Work-in-process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
95,963
Finished goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 19,694
1,480
90,914

October 31,

2008

2009

Provision for excess and obsolescence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

116,709
(23,257)

112,088
(24,002)

$ 93,452

$ 88,086

Ciena writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the
difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based on assumptions about future
demand and market conditions. During fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009, Ciena recorded provisions for
inventory reserves of $12.2 million, $18.3 million and $15.7 million, respectively, primarily related to changes
in forecasted sales for certain products. Deductions from the reserve for excess and obsolete inventory relate to
disposal activities.

The following table summarizes the activity in Ciena’s reserve for excess and obsolete inventory for the

fiscal years indicated (in thousands):

Year Ended
October 31,

Balance at
Beginning of
Period

2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$22,326
$26,170
$23,257

Provisions

Disposals

$12,180
$18,325
$15,719

$ 8,336
$21,238
$14,974

Balance at
End of
Period

$26,170
$23,257
$24,002

(9) PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER

As of the dates indicated, prepaid expenses and other are comprised of the following (in thousands):

October 31,

2008

2009

Interest receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid VAT and other taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred deployment expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capitalized acquisition costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restricted cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-trade receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 2,082
15,160
4,481
10,557

993
$
14,527
4,242
8,869
— 12,473
7,477
1,956

1,717
1,891

Capitalized acquisition costs include direct costs related to Ciena’s pending acquisition of the optical

networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s MEN business. See Note 22 below. In the first quarter of
fiscal 2010, Ciena will adopt newly issued accounting guidance related to business combinations, which will
require the full amount of these capitalized acquisition costs to be expensed in the consolidated statement of
operations.

$35,888

$50,537

84

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

(10) EQUIPMENT, FURNITURE AND FIXTURES

As of the dates indicated, equipment, furniture and fixtures are comprised of the following (in thousands):

Equipment, furniture and fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leasehold improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 286,940
40,574

$ 293,093
45,761

October 31,

2008

2009

Accumulated depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

327,514
(267,547)

338,854
(276,986)

$ 59,967

$ 61,868

During fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009, Ciena recorded depreciation of equipment, furniture and

fixtures, and amortization of leasehold improvements of $12.8 million, $18.6 million and $21.9 million,
respectively.

(11) OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

As of the dates indicated, other intangible assets are comprised of the following (in thousands):

Developed technology . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patents and licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer relationships, covenants not
to compete, outstanding purchase
orders and contracts . . . . . . . . . . . .

October 31,

Gross
Intangible

2008
Accumulated
Amortization

Net
Intangible

Gross
Intangible

2009
Accumulated
Amortization

Net
Intangible

$185,833
47,370

$(128,255)
(37,952)

$57,578
9,418

$185,833
47,370

$(147,504)
(42,811)

$38,329
4,559

68,281

(43,028)

25,253

60,981

(43,049)

17,932

$301,484

$92,249

$294,184

$60,820

The aggregate amortization expense of other intangible assets was $29.2 million, $38.0 million and
$31.4 million for fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009, respectively. During fiscal 2009, gross intangibles
and the corresponding accumulated amortization related to covenants not to compete, outstanding purchase
orders and contracts decreased by $7.3 million due to their expiration. Expected future amortization of other
intangible assets for the fiscal years indicated is as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended October 31,

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$27,873
13,852
9,473
7,217
2,405

$60,820

85

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

(12) OTHER BALANCE SHEET DETAILS

As of the dates indicated, other long-term assets are comprised of the following (in thousands):

October 31,

2008

2009

Maintenance spares inventory, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred debt issuance costs, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investments in privately held companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restricted cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$30,038
15,127
6,671
20,436
3,476

$31,994
12,832
907
18,792
3,377

$75,748

$67,902

Deferred debt issuance costs are amortized using the straight line method which approximates the effect

of the effective interest rate method on the maturity of the related debt. Amortization of deferred debt issuance
costs, which is included in interest expense, were $4.0 million, $2.9 million and $2.3 million for fiscal 2007,
fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009, respectively.

As of the dates indicated, accrued liabilities are comprised of the following (in thousands):

October 31,

2008

2009

Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $37,258
23,253
Compensation, payroll related tax and benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11,947
Vacation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,683
Interest payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22,002
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 40,196
20,025
11,508
2,045
29,575

$96,143

$103,349

The following table summarizes the activity in Ciena’s accrued warranty for the fiscal years indicated

(in thousands):

Year Ended October 31,

Balance at Beginning
of Period

2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$31,751
$33,580
$37,258

Provisions

Settlements

$12,743
$15,336
$19,286

$10,914
$11,658
$16,348

Balance at end
of Period

$33,580
$37,258
$40,196

As of the dates indicated, deferred revenue is comprised of the following (in thousands):

Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 13,061
61,366
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 11,998
63,935

Less current portion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

74,427
(36,767)

75,933
(40,565)

Long-term deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 37,660

$ 35,368

October 31,

2008

2009

86

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

(13) DERIVATIVES

Ciena uses foreign currency forward contracts to reduce variability in non-U.S. dollar denominated

operating expenses. Ciena uses these derivatives to partially offset its market exposure to fluctuations in certain
foreign currencies. These derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges and have maturities of less than one
year. These forward contracts are not designed to provide foreign currency protection over the long-term.
Ciena considers several factors, including offsetting exposures, significance of exposures, costs associated with
entering into a particular instrument, and potential effectiveness when designing its hedging activities.

The effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of accumulated

other comprehensive income (loss) and, upon occurrence of the forecasted transaction, is subsequently
reclassified into the operating expense line item to which the hedged transaction relates. Ciena records the
ineffective portion of the hedging instruments in interest and other income, net. As of October 31, 2009, there
were no foreign currency forward contracts outstanding.

Ciena’s foreign currency forward contracts are classified as follows:

Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations

Reclassified to
Consolidated
Statement of
Operations
(Effective Portion)
Year Ended
October 31,

2008

2009

Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $ (533)
(804)
Selling and marketing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

Line Item in Consolidated Balance Sheet

$ — $(1,337)

Recognized in
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Year Ended
October 31,

2008

2009

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $1,337

Line Item in Consolidated Statement of Operations

$ — $1,337

Ineffective
Portion
Year Ended
October 31,
2008

2009

Interest and other income, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $—

$ — $—

(14) CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE

Ciena 3.75% Convertible Notes, due February 1, 2008

During fiscal 2008, Ciena paid at maturity the remaining $542.3 million in aggregate principal amount on

its 3.75% convertible notes. All of the notes were retired without conversion into common stock.

87

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

0.25% Convertible Senior Notes due May 1, 2013

On April 10, 2006, Ciena completed a public offering of 0.25% Convertible Senior Notes due May 1,
2013, in aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million. Interest is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each
year. The notes are senior unsecured obligations of Ciena and rank equally with all of Ciena’s other existing
and future senior unsecured debt.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, Ciena repurchased $2.0 million in principal amount of its
outstanding 0.25% convertible senior notes in an open market transaction. Ciena used $1.0 million of cash to
effect these repurchases during the quarter, which resulted in a gain of approximately $0.9 million relating to
this repurchase.

At the election of the holder, notes may be converted prior to maturity into shares of Ciena common
stock at the initial conversion rate of 25.3001 shares per $1,000 in principal amount, which is equivalent to an
initial conversion price of $39.5255 per share. The notes may be redeemed by Ciena if the closing sale price
of Ciena’s common stock for at least 20 trading days in any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on the
date one day prior to the date of the notice of redemption exceeds 130% of the conversion price. Ciena may
redeem the notes in whole or in part, at a redemption price in cash equal to the principal amount to be
redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

If Ciena undergoes a “fundamental change” (as that term is defined in the indenture governing the notes

to include certain change in control transactions), holders of notes will have the right, subject to certain
exemptions, to require Ciena to purchase for cash any or all of their notes at a price equal to the principal
amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the holder elects to convert his or her notes in connection with a
specified fundamental change, in certain circumstances, Ciena will be required to increase the applicable
conversion rate, depending on the price paid per share for Ciena common stock and the effective date of the
fundamental change transaction.

Ciena used approximately $28.5 million of the net proceeds of this offering to purchase a call spread
option on its common stock that is intended to limit exposure to potential dilution from the conversion of the
notes. See Note 16 below for a description of this call spread option.

0.875% Convertible Senior Notes due June 15, 2017

On June 11, 2007, Ciena completed a public offering of 0.875% Convertible Senior Notes due June 15,

2017, in aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million. Interest is payable on June 15 and December 15 of
each year, beginning on December 15, 2007. The notes are senior unsecured obligations of Ciena and rank
equally with all of Ciena’s other existing and future senior unsecured debt.

At the election of the holder, notes may be converted prior to maturity into shares of Ciena common
stock at the initial conversion rate of 26.2154 shares per $1,000 in principal amount, which is equivalent to an
initial conversion price of approximately $38.15 per share. The notes are not redeemable by Ciena prior to
maturity.

If Ciena undergoes a “fundamental change” (as that term is defined in the indenture governing the notes

to include certain change in control transactions), holders of notes will have the right, subject to certain
exemptions, to require Ciena to purchase for cash any or all of their notes at a price equal to the principal
amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the holder elects to convert his or her notes in connection with a
specified fundamental change, in certain circumstances, Ciena will be required to increase the applicable
conversion rate, depending on the price paid per share for Ciena common stock and the effective date of the
fundamental change transaction.

88

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

Ciena used approximately $42.5 million of the net proceeds of this offering to purchase a call spread
option on its common stock that is intended to limit exposure to potential dilution from conversion of the
notes. See Note 16 below for a description of this call spread option.

(15) EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATION

The following table (in thousands except per share amounts) is a reconciliation of the numerator and
denominator of the basic net income (loss) per common share (“Basic EPS”) and the diluted net income (loss)
per potential common share (“Diluted EPS”). Basic EPS is computed using the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed using the weighted average number of (i) common
shares outstanding, (ii) shares issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units, (iii) shares issuable upon exercise
of outstanding stock options, employee stock purchase plan options and warrants using the treasury stock
method; and (iv) shares underlying the 0.25% and 0.875% convertible senior notes. Diluted EPS for fiscal
2007 reflects only a portion of the shares underlying the 0.875% convertible notes because they were issued
on June 11, 2007.

Numerator

Net income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add: Interest expense for 0.25% convertible senior notes . . . . . . .
Add: Interest expense for 0.875% convertible senior notes . . . . . .

$82,788
1,882
2,261

$38,894
1,874
5,510

$(581,154)
—
—

Net income (loss) used to calculate Diluted EPS . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$86,931

$46,278

$(581,154)

Year Ended October 31,

2007

2008

2009

Denominator

Year Ended October 31,
2008

2009

2007

Basic weighted average shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85,525
Add: Shares underlying outstanding stock options, employees stock

purchase plan options, warrants and restricted stock units . . . . . . . .
Add: Shares underlying 0.25% convertible senior notes . . . . . . . . . . .
Add: Shares underlying 0.875% convertible senior notes . . . . . . . . . .

1,352
7,590
5,137

89,146

91,167

761
7,590
13,108

—
—
—

Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99,604

110,605

91,167

EPS

Basic EPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.97

$0.44

$(6.37)

Diluted EPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.87

$0.42

$(6.37)

Year Ended October 31,
2008
2009

2007

Explanation of Shares Excluded due to Anti-Dilutive Effect

For fiscal 2009, the weighted average number of certain shares underlying outstanding stock options,

employee stock purchase plan options, restricted stock units and warrants in the table below are considered
anti-dilutive because the exercise price of these awards is greater than the average closing price per share on

89

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

the NASDAQ Stock Market during this period. In addition, the weighted average number of shares issuable
upon conversion of Ciena’s 0.25% convertible senior notes and 0.875% convertible senior notes are considered
anti-dilutive because the related interest expense on a per common share “if converted” basis exceeds Basic
EPS for the period.

For fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008, the weighted average number of certain shares underlying outstanding
stock options, employee stock purchase plan options, restricted stock units, and warrants, is considered anti-
dilutive because the exercise price of these equity awards is greater than the average closing price per share on
the NASDAQ Stock Market during these periods. In addition, the weighted average number of shares
underlying Ciena’s previously outstanding 3.75% convertible notes are considered anti-dilutive because the
related interest expense on a per common share “if converted” basis exceeds Basic EPS for the periods.

The following table summarizes the shares excluded from the calculation of the denominator for Basic

and Diluted EPS due to their anti-dilutive effect for the fiscal years indicated (in thousands):

Shares excluded from EPS Denominator due to anti-dilutive effect

Shares underlying stock options, restricted stock units and warrants . . . . .
3.750% convertible notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.250% convertible senior notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.875% convertible senior notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,041
742
—
—

8,302
5,311
182
—
— 7,539
— 13,108

Total excluded due to anti-dilutive effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,783

5,493

28,949

Year Ended October 31,
2008
2009

2007

(16) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Call Spread Option

Ciena holds two call spread options on its common stock relating to the shares issuable upon conversion
of its two issues of convertible notes. These call spread options are designed to mitigate exposure to potential
dilution from the conversion of the notes. Ciena purchased a call spread option relating to the 0.25% Convert-
ible Senior Notes due May 1, 2013 for $28.5 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2006. Ciena purchased
a call spread option relating to the 0.875% Convertible Senior Notes due June 15, 2017 for $42.5 million
during the third quarter of fiscal 2007. In each case, the call spread options were purchased at the time of the
notes offering from an affiliate of the underwriter. The cost of each call spread option was recorded as a
reduction in paid-in capital.

Each call spread option is exercisable, upon maturity of the relevant issue of convertible notes, for such

number of shares of Ciena common stock issuable upon conversion of that series of notes in full. Each call
spread option has a “lower strike price” equal to the conversion price for the notes and a “higher strike price”
that serves to cap the amount of dilution protection provided. At its election, Ciena can exercise the call
spread options on a net cash basis or a net share basis. The value of the consideration of a net share settlement
will be equal to the value upon a net cash settlement and can range from $0, if the market price per share of
Ciena common stock upon exercise is equal to or below the lower strike price, to approximately $45.7 million
(in the case of the April 2006 call spread option) or approximately $76.1 million (in the case of the June 2007
call spread), if the market price per share of Ciena common stock upon exercise is at or above the higher
strike price. If the market price on the date of exercise is between the lower strike price and the higher strike
price, in lieu of a net settlement, Ciena may elect to receive the full number of shares underlying the call
spread option by paying the aggregate option exercise price, which is equal to the original principal
outstanding on that series of notes. Should there be an early unwind of the call spread option, the amount of

90

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

cash or shares to be received by Ciena will depend upon the existing overall market conditions, and on Ciena’s
stock price, the volatility of Ciena’s stock and the remaining term of the call spread option. The number of
shares subject to the call spread options, and the lower and higher strike prices, are subject to customary
adjustments.

(17)

INCOME TAXES

For the periods indicated, the provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following

(in thousands):

October 31,
2008

2009

2007

Provision (benefit) for income taxes:
Current:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal
State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ — $ (712)
209
1,508

309
2,635

$(3,488)
122
2,925

Total current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,944

1,005

(441)

Deferred:
Federal
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— 1,640
—
—
—
—

Total deferred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— 1,640

(860)
(23)
—

(883)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$2,944

$2,645

$(1,324)

For the periods indicated, income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the

following (in thousands):

October 31,

2007

2008

2009

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$77,150
8,582

$32,868
8,671

$(591,637)
9,159

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$85,732

$41,539

$(582,478)

91

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

For the periods indicated, the tax provision (benefit) reconciles to the amount computed by multiplying

income or loss before income taxes by the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% as follows:

2007

October 31,
2008

2009

Provision at statutory rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal AMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research and development credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-deductible compensation and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit attributable to other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . .
Valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35.00%
0.00%
0.36%
0.11%
(2.47)%
0.00%
0.99%
0.00%

35.00%
35.00%
0.00%
0.89%
(0.02)%
0.50%
0.05%
(3.67)%
0.60%
(2.60)%
0.00% (27.38)%
(1.45)%
0.03%
(6.60)%

10.31%
0.00%
(30.55)% (34.06)%

Effective income tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.44%

6.37%

0.23%

The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

October 31,

2008

2009

Deferred tax assets:

Reserves and accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NOL and credit carry forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27,795
130,617
960,632
45,340

$

31,088
159,858
965,529
42,292

Gross deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,164,384
(1,164,384)

1,198,767
(1,198,067)

Net deferred tax asset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

— $

700

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and

penalties, is as follows (in thousands):

Unrecognized tax benefits at October 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$4,924

Increase (decrease) related to positions taken in prior period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (decrease) related to positions taken in current period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reductions related to expiration of statute of limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unrecognized tax benefits at October 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (decrease) related to positions taken in prior period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (decrease) related to positions taken in current period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reductions related to expiration of statute of limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(724)
734
(498)

4,436
106
1,947
(300)

Unrecognized tax benefits at October 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$6,189

As of October 31, 2008 and 2009, Ciena had accrued $1.1 million and $1.2 million of interest,

respectively, and some minor penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within other long-term liabilities in
the Consolidated Balance Sheets, of which $0.1 million and $0.1 million of interest was recorded to the
provision for income taxes during fiscal 2008 and 2009, respectively. If recognized, the entire balance of

92

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

unrecognized tax benefits would impact the effective tax rate. Over the next 12 months, Ciena does not
estimate any material changes in the unrecognized income tax benefits.

During fiscal 2002, Ciena established a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. Ciena intends

to maintain a valuation allowance until sufficient positive evidence exists to support a reversal. Any future
release of valuation allowance may be recorded as a tax benefit increasing net income or as an adjustment to
paid-in capital, based on tax ordering requirements. The following table summarizes the activity in Ciena’s
valuation allowance against its gross deferred tax assets (in thousands):

Year Ended October 31,

Balance at
Beginning
of Period

Additions

Deductions

2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,189,522
2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,180,123
2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,164,384

$ — $ 9,399
$ — $15,739
$ —
$33,683

Balance at end
of Period

$1,180,123
$1,164,384
$1,198,067

As of October 31, 2009, Ciena had a $2.4 billion net operating loss carry forward and an $84 million
income tax credit carry forward which begin to expire in fiscal year 2018 and 2013, respectively. Ciena’s
ability to use net operating losses and credit carry forwards is subject to limitations pursuant to the ownership
change rules of the Internal Revenue Code Section 382.

The income tax provision does not reflect the tax savings resulting from deductions associated with
Ciena’s equity compensation and convertible debt. The cumulative tax benefit through October 31, 2009 of
approximately $77.3 million will be credited to additional paid-in capital when realized. For deductions
associated with Ciena’s equity compensation, credits to paid-in capital will be recorded when those tax
benefits are used to reduce taxes payable.

Approximately $20.7 million of the valuation allowance as of October 31, 2009 was attributable to

deferred tax assets associated with the acquisitions of WaveSmith, Catena, IPI and WWP.

(18) SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE

Ciena has outstanding equity awards issued under its legacy equity plans and equity plans assumed as a

result of previous acquisitions. While Ciena maintains a number of legacy and acquired equity incentive plans
that have awards outstanding, equity awards are currently made only from the 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan
and the 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, each as described below.

Ciena Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan

The 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”) was approved by Ciena’s Board of Directors on
December 12, 2007 and became effective upon the approval of Ciena’s stockholders on March 26, 2008. The
2008 Plan has a ten year term. The 2008 Plan reserves eight million shares of common stock for issuance,
subject to increase from time to time by the number of shares: (i) subject to outstanding awards granted under
Ciena’s prior equity compensation plans that terminate without delivery of any stock (to the extent such shares
would have been available for issuance under such prior plan), and (ii) subject to awards assumed or
substituted in connection with the acquisition of another company.

The 2008 Plan authorizes the issuance of awards including stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs),

restricted stock, unrestricted stock, stock appreciation rights (SARs) and other equity and/or cash performance
incentive awards to employees, directors, and consultants of Ciena. Subject to certain restrictions, the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has broad discretion to establish the terms and conditions
for awards under the 2008 Plan, including the number of shares, vesting conditions and the required service or
performance criteria. Options and SARs have a maximum term of ten years, and their exercise price may not
be less than 100% of fair market value on the date of grant. Repricing of stock options and SARs is prohibited

93

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

without stockholder approval. Each share subject to an award other than stock options or SARs will reduce the
number of shares available for issuance under the 2008 Plan by 1.6 shares. Certain change in control
transactions may cause awards granted under the 2008 Plan to vest, unless the awards are continued or
substituted for in connection with the transaction. As of October 31, 2009, there were 3.3 million shares
authorized and available for issuance under the 2008 Plan.

Stock Options

Outstanding stock option awards to employees are generally subject to service-based vesting restrictions

and vest incrementally over a four-year period. The following table is a summary of Ciena’s stock option
activity for the periods indicated (shares in thousands):

Shares
Underlying
Options
Outstanding

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Balance as of October 31, 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canceled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance as of October 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted in exchange for WWP options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canceled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance as of October 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canceled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance as of October 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7,110
695
(1,507)
(427)

5,871
760
934
(658)
(508)

6,399
234
(107)
(988)

5,538

$48.52
32.47
23.04
41.52

53.67
28.92
7.50
7.12
52.79

48.84
8.63
2.33
61.40

$45.80

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009 was
$21.6 million, $14.7 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The weighted average fair value of each stock
option granted by Ciena during fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009 was $18.68, $14.52 and $4.94,
respectively.

94

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

The following table summarizes information with respect to stock options outstanding at October 31,
2009, based on Ciena’s closing stock price of $11.73 per share on the last trading day of Ciena’s fiscal 2009
(shares and intrinsic value in thousands):

Options Outstanding at October 31, 2009

Vested Options at October 31, 2009

Number
of
Underlying
Shares

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(Years)

Range of Exercise Price

16.52 . . . . . .
$ 0.01 - $
17.43 . . . . . .
$16.53 - $
22.96 . . . . . .
$17.44 - $
31.71 . . . . . .
$22.97 - $
46.90 . . . . . .
$31.72 - $
$46.91 - $
73.78 . . . . . .
$73.79 - $1,046.50 . . . . . .

929
552
460
1,539
904
527
627

$ 0.01 - $1,046.50 . . . . . .

5,538

Assumptions for Option-Based Awards

6.89
6.00
5.38
5.14
6.47
3.05
1.77

5.18

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$ 10.51
17.21
21.77
29.47
39.45
60.13
178.12

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Number
of
Underlying
Shares

650
$3,029
500
—
—
405
— 1,285
617
—
527
—
627
—

$ 45.80

$3,029

4,611

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(Years)

5.95
5.70
4.97
4.62
5.72
3.05
1.77

4.54

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$ 11.46
17.21
21.90
29.73
40.21
60.13
178.12

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

$2,009
—
—
—
—
—
—

$ 50.16

$2,009

Ciena recognizes the fair value of service-based options as share-based compensation expense on a
straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Ciena estimates the fair value of each option award on the
date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with the following weighted average assumptions:

Year Ended October 31,
2008

2009

2007

Expected volatility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risk-free interest rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected term (years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected dividend yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

55.8%

53.0%
4.2% - 5.1% 2.7% - 3.6% 1.7% - 3.1%
5.1 - 5.3
0.0%

5.2 - 5.3
0.0%

6.0 - 6.4
0.0%

65.0%

Ciena considered the implied volatility and historical volatility of its stock price in determining its

expected volatility, and, finding both to be equally reliable, determined that a combination of both would result
in the best estimate of expected volatility.

The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon observed interest rates appropriate for the expected

term of Ciena’s employee stock options.

The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period the stock options are

expected to remain outstanding. Because Ciena considered its options to be “plain vanilla,” it calculated the
expected term using the simplified method for fiscal 2007. Options are considered to be “plain vanilla” if they
have the following basic characteristics: they are granted “at-the-money”; exercisability is conditioned upon
service through the vesting date; termination of service prior to vesting results in forfeiture; there is a limited
exercise period following termination of service; and the options are non-transferable and non-hedgeable.
Beginning in fiscal 2008, Ciena gathered more detailed historical information about specific exercise behavior
of its grantees, which it used to determine the expected term.

The dividend yield assumption is based on Ciena’s history and expectation of dividend payouts.

Because share-based compensation expense is recognized only for those awards that are ultimately

expected to vest, the amount of share-based compensation expense recognized reflects a reduction for

95

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

estimated forfeitures. Ciena estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates in subsequent
periods based upon new or changed information. Ciena relies upon historical experience in establishing
forfeiture rates. If actual forfeitures differ from current estimates, total unrecognized share-based compensation
expense will be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures.

Restricted Stock Units

A restricted stock unit is a stock award that entitles the holder to receive shares of Ciena common stock

as the unit vests. Ciena’s outstanding restricted stock unit awards are subject to service-based vesting
conditions and/or performance-based vesting conditions. Awards subject to service-based conditions typically
vest in increments over a three to four-year period. Awards with performance-based vesting conditions require
the achievement of certain operational, financial or other performance criteria or targets as a condition of
vesting, or acceleration of vesting, of such awards.

Ciena’s outstanding restricted stock units include “performance-accelerated” restricted stock units (PARS),

which vest in full four years after the date of grant (assuming that the grantee is still employed by Ciena at
that time). At the beginning of each of the first three fiscal years following the date of grant, the Compensation
Committee establishes one-year performance targets which, if satisfied, provide for the acceleration of vesting
of one-third of the award. As a result, the recipient has the opportunity, subject to satisfaction of performance
conditions, to vest as to the entire award in three years. Ciena recognizes the estimated fair value of
performance-based awards, net of estimated forfeitures, as share-based expense over the performance period,
using graded vesting, which considers each performance period or tranche separately, based upon Ciena’s
determination of whether it is probable that the performance targets will be achieved. At each reporting period,
Ciena reassess the probability of achieving the performance targets and the performance period required to
meet those targets.

The aggregate intrinsic value of Ciena’s restricted stock units is based on Ciena’s closing stock price on
the last trading day of each period as indicated. The following table is a summary of Ciena’s restricted stock
unit activity for the periods indicated, with the aggregate intrinsic value of the balance outstanding at the end
of each period, based on Ciena’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the relevant period (shares and
aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):

Balance as of October 31, 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canceled or forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance as of October 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canceled or forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance as of October 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canceled or forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
per Share

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

$22.99

$ 3,829

27.94

53,236

30.85

17,773

Restricted
Stock Units
Outstanding

162
1,216
(176)
(67)

1,135
1,411
(513)
(184)

1,849
3,364
(1,358)
(139)

Balance as of October 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,716

$14.67

$43,591

96

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

The total fair value of restricted stock units that vested and were converted into common stock during

fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009 was $6.5 million, $14.6 million and $14.7 million, respectively. The
weighted average fair value of each restricted stock unit granted by Ciena during fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008 and
fiscal 2009 was $28.36, $32.38 and $7.02, respectively.

Assumptions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards

The fair value of each restricted stock unit award is estimated using the intrinsic value method, which is

based on the closing price on the date of grant. Share-based expense for service-based restricted stock unit
awards is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, ratably over the vesting period on a straight-line basis.

Share-based expense for performance-based restricted stock unit awards, net of estimated forfeitures, is
recognized ratably over the performance period based upon Ciena’s determination of whether it is probable
that the performance targets will be achieved. At each reporting period, Ciena reassesses the probability of
achieving the performance targets and the performance period required to meet those targets. The estimation
of whether the performance targets will be achieved involves judgment, and the estimate of expense is revised
periodically based on the probability of achieving the performance targets. Revisions are reflected in the
period in which the estimate is changed. If any performance goals are not met, no compensation cost is
ultimately recognized against that goal and, to the extent previously recognized, compensation cost is reversed.

2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In March 2003, Ciena stockholders approved the 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”),
which has a ten-year term. Ciena stockholders subsequently approved an amendment increasing the number of
shares available to 3.6 million and adopting an “evergreen” provision. On December 31 of each year, the
number of shares available under the ESPP will increase by up to 0.6 million shares, provided that the total
number of shares available at that time shall not exceed 3.6 million. Pursuant to the evergreen provision, the
maximum number of shares that may be added to the ESPP during the remainder of its ten-year term is
2.4 million.

Under the ESPP, eligible employees may enroll in a six-month offer period during certain open
enrollment periods. New offer periods begin March 16 and September 16 of each year. The purchase price
equals 95% of the fair market value of Ciena common stock on the last day of each purchase period. As
currently structured, the ESPP is non-compensatory for purposes of share-based compensation expense. The

97

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

following table is a summary of ESPP activity for the periods indicated (shares and intrinsic value in
thousands):

ESPP Shares
Available for
Issuance

Intrinisic Value at
Stock Issuance
Date

Balance as of October 31, 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Evergreen provision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Issued March 15, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Issued September 14, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance as of October 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Evergreen provision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Issued March 15, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Issued September 15, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance as of October 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Evergreen provision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Issued March 16, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Issued September 15, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,976
571
(119)
(45)

3,383
188
(38)
(45)

3,488
83
(67)
(35)

Balance as of October 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,469

$1,137
581

99
26

23
28

$

Share-Based Compensation Expense for Periods Reported

The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense for the periods indicated (in

thousands):

Year Ended October 31,
2008

2009

2007

Product costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 1,257
920

$ 2,953
1,412

$ 2,116
1,599

Share-based compensation expense included in cost of goods sold. .

Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales and marketing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,177

3,649
6,724
6,440

Share-based compensation expense included in operating expense . .

16,813

4,365

7,264
10,928
8,644

26,836

3,715

10,006
10,861
10,380

31,247

Share-based compensation expense capitalized in inventory, net . . .

582

227

(524)

Total share-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$19,572

$31,428

$34,438

As of October 31, 2009, total unrecognized compensation expense was: (i) $11.9 million, which relates to

unvested stock options and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.0 year; and
(ii) $42.1 million, which relates to unvested restricted stock units and is expected to be recognized over a
weighted-average period of 1.2 years.

98

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

(19) OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Employee 401(k) Plan

Ciena has a 401(k) defined contribution profit sharing plan. The plan covers all U.S. based employees
who are not part of an excluded group. Participants may contribute up to 60% of pre-tax compensation, subject
to certain limitations. Effective January 1, 2007, the plan includes an employer matching contribution equal to
50% of the first 6% an employee contributes each pay period. Ciena may also make discretionary annual
profit sharing contributions up to the IRS regulated limit. Ciena has made no profit sharing contributions to
date. During fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008, and fiscal 2009, Ciena made matching contributions of approximately
$2.3 million, $3.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively.

(20) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Foreign Tax Contingencies

Ciena has received assessment notices from the Mexican tax authorities asserting deficiencies in payments
between 2001 and 2005 related primarily to income taxes and import taxes and duties. Ciena has filed judicial
petitions appealing these assessments. As of October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2009, Ciena had accrued
liabilities of $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to these contingencies, which are reported as a
component of other current accrued liabilities. As of October 31, 2009, Ciena estimates that it could be
exposed to possible losses of up to $5.8 million, for which it has not accrued liabilities. Ciena has not accrued
the additional income tax liabilities because it does not believe that such losses are more likely than not to be
incurred. Ciena has not accrued the additional import taxes and duties because it does not believe the
incurrence of such losses are probable. Ciena continues to evaluate the likelihood of probable and reasonably
possible losses, if any, related to these assessments. As a result, future increases or decreases to accrued
liabilities may be necessary and will be recorded in the period when such amounts are estimable and more
likely than not (for income taxes) or probable (for non-income taxes).

Operating Lease Commitments

Ciena has certain minimum obligations under non-cancelable operating leases expiring on various dates
through 2019 for equipment and facilities. Future annual minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable
operating leases at October 31, 2009 are as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended October 31,

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$14,450
12,857
10,058
8,779
6,146
9,909

$62,199

Rental expense for fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008, and fiscal 2009 was approximately $10.6 million, $12.4 million

and $14.7 million, respectively. In addition, Ciena paid approximately $29.9 million, $1.3 million and
$2.2 million during fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009, respectively, related to rent costs for restructured
facilities and unfavorable lease commitments, which were offset against Ciena’s restructuring liabilities and
unfavorable lease obligations. The amount for operating lease commitments above does not include insurance,
taxes, maintenance and other costs required by the applicable operating lease. These costs are variable and are
not expected to have a material impact.

99

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

Purchase Commitments with Contract Manufacturers and Suppliers

As of October 31, 2009, Ciena has purchase commitments of $79.6 million. Purchase commitments relate

to purchase order obligations to contract manufacturers and component suppliers for inventory. In certain
instances, Ciena is permitted to cancel, reschedule or adjust these orders. Consequently, only a portion of the
amount reported as purchase commitments relates to firm, non-cancelable and unconditional obligations.

Litigation

On November 7, 2008, JDS Uniphase Corp. (“JDSU”) filed a complaint with the United States

International Trade Commission (ITC) against Ciena and several other respondents, alleging infringement of
two patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 6,658,035 and 6,687,278) relating to tunable laser chip technology. The
complaint, which names Ciena as a company whose products incorporate the accused technology manufactured
by certain other respondents and which technology is imported into the United States, seeks a determination
and relief under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. On December 17, 2008, Ciena and certain other
respondents entered into a Settlement Agreement and Agreement to be Bound with JDSU, whereby those
respondents agreed, in exchange for dismissal from the investigation, to be bound by any exclusion order
issued by the ITC in the investigation in favor of JDSU that takes effect against one or more of the non-
settling respondents. Ciena was not required to make any payment in connection with this settlement
agreement. Based on that agreement, JDSU contemporaneously filed a motion to terminate the investigation
with respect to Ciena and certain other respondents. Based on the ITC staff’s initial response to that motion,
the parties entered into an amended settlement agreement and, on January 8, 2009, JDSU filed an amended
motion to terminate. On February 3, 2009, the ITC judge issued an order granting JDSU’s amended motion to
terminate, which order was affirmed by the full commission on February 27, 2009. Accordingly, the ITC
investigation has been terminated with respect to Ciena.

On May 29, 2008, Graywire, LLC filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Georgia against Ciena and four other defendants, alleging, among other things, that certain of the
parties’ products infringe U.S. Patent 6,542,673 (the “’673 Patent”), relating to an identifier system and
components for optical assemblies. The complaint, which seeks injunctive relief and damages, was served
upon Ciena on January 20, 2009. Ciena filed an answer to the complaint and counterclaims against Graywire
on March 26, 2009, and an amended answer and counterclaims on April 17, 2009. On April 27, 2009, Ciena
and certain other defendants filed an application for inter partes reexamination of the ’673 Patent with the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “PTO”). On the same date, Ciena and the other defendants filed a
motion to stay the case pending reexamination of all of the patents-in-suit. On July 17, 2009, the district court
granted the defendants’ motion to stay the case. On July 23, 2009, the PTO granted the defendants’ application
for reexamination with respect to certain claims of the ’673 Patent. Ciena believes that it has valid defenses to
the lawsuit and intends to defend it vigorously in the event the stay of the case is lifted.

On January 31, 2008, Ciena Corporation and Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Company

(previously named Litton Systems, Inc.) entered into an agreement to settle patent litigation between the
parties pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Pursuant to the
settlement agreement, Ciena agreed to indemnify the plaintiff, should it be unable to collect compensatory
damages awarded, if any, in a final judgment in its favor against a specified Ciena supplier. This obligation is
specific to this litigation and, while there is no maximum amount payable, Ciena’s obligation is limited to
plaintiff’s inability to collect that portion of any compensatory damages award that relates to the supplier’s
sale of infringing products to Ciena. Ciena has determined the fair value of this guarantee to be insignificant.

As a result of our June 2002 merger with ONI Systems Corp., Ciena became a defendant in a securities
class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in August
2001. The complaint named ONI, certain former ONI officers, and certain underwriters of ONI’s initial public
offering (IPO) as defendants, and alleges, among other things, that the underwriter defendants violated the

100

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

securities laws by failing to disclose alleged compensation arrangements (such as undisclosed commissions or
stock stabilization practices) in ONI’s registration statement and by engaging in manipulative practices to
artificially inflate ONI’s stock price after the IPO. The complaint also alleges that ONI and the named former
officers violated the securities laws by failing to disclose the underwriters’ alleged compensation arrangements
and manipulative practices. No specific amount of damages has been claimed. Similar complaints have been
filed against more than 300 other issuers that have had initial public offerings since 1998, and all of these actions
have been included in a single coordinated proceeding. The former ONI officers have been dismissed from the
action without prejudice. In July 2004, following mediated settlement negotiations, the plaintiffs, the issuer
defendants (including Ciena), and their insurers entered into a settlement agreement. The settlement agreement
did not require Ciena to pay any amount toward the settlement or to make any other payments. While the partial
settlement was pending approval, the plaintiffs continued to litigate their cases against the underwriter
defendants. In October 2004, the district court certified a class with respect to the Section 10(b) claims in six
“focus cases” selected out of all of the consolidated cases, which cases did not include Ciena, and which
decision was appealed by the underwriter defendants to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. On
February 15, 2005, the district court granted the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement agreement,
subject to certain modifications, and on August 31, 2005, the district court issued a preliminary order approving
the revised stipulated settlement agreement. On December 5, 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit vacated the district court’s grant of class certification in the six focus cases. On April 6, 2007, the Second
Circuit denied plaintiffs’ petition for rehearing. In light of the Second Circuit’s decision, the parties agreed that
the settlement could not be approved. On June 25, 2007, the district court approved a stipulation filed by the
plaintiffs and the issuer defendants terminating the proposed settlement. On August 14, 2007, the plaintiffs filed
second amended complaints against the defendants in the six focus cases. On September 27, 2007, the plaintiffs
filed a motion for class certification based on their amended complaints and allegations. On March 26, 2008, the
district court denied motions to dismiss the second amended complaints filed by the defendants in the six focus
cases, except as to Section 11 claims raised by those plaintiffs who sold their securities for a price in excess of
the initial offering price and those who purchased outside the previously certified class period. Briefing on the
plaintiffs’ motion for class certification in the focus cases was completed in May 2008. That motion was
withdrawn without prejudice on October 10, 2008. On April 2, 2009, a stipulation and agreement of settlement
between the plaintiffs, issuer defendants and underwriter defendants was submitted to the Court for preliminary
approval. The Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary approval and preliminarily certified the
settlement classes on June 10, 2009. The settlement fairness hearing was held on September 10, 2009. On
October 6, 2009, the Court entered an opinion granting final approval to the settlement and directing that the
Clerk of the Court close these actions. Notices of appeal of the opinion granting final approval have been filed.
Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and because the settlement remains subject to appeal, the ultimate
outcome of the matter is uncertain.

In addition to the matters described above, Ciena is subject to various legal proceedings, claims and
litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Ciena does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve
these matters will have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

(21) ENTITY WIDE DISCLOSURES

The following table reflects Ciena’s geographic distribution of revenue based on the location of the

purchaser. Revenue attributable to geographic regions outside of the United States is reflected as “Interna-
tional” revenue, with any country accounting for greater than 10% of total revenue in the period specifically

101

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

identified. For the periods below, Ciena’s geographic distribution of revenue was as follows (in thousands,
except percentage data):

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $553,582
100,681
United Kingdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
125,506
Other International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2007

Fiscal Year

2008

$590,868
149,426
162,154

%*

71.0
12.9
16.1

%*

65.5
16.5
18.0

2009

$419,405
81,784
151,440

%*

64.3
12.5
23.2

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $779,769

100.0

$902,448

100.0

$652,629

100.0

* Denotes % of total revenue

The following table reflects Ciena’s geographic distribution of equipment, furniture and fixtures.

Equipment, furniture and fixtures attributable to geographic regions outside of the United States are reflected
as “International,” with any country attributable for greater than 10% of total equipment, furniture and fixtures
specifically identified. For the periods below, Ciena’s geographic distribution of equipment, furniture and
fixtures was as follows (in thousands, except percentage data):

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $49,351
10,616
International. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2008

Fiscal Year

%*

82.3
17.7

2009

$47,875
13,993

%*

77.4
22.6

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $59,967

100.0

$61,868

100.0

* Denotes % of total equipment, furniture and fixtures

For the periods below, Ciena’s distribution of revenue was as follows (in thousands, except percentage data):

Optical service delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $645,159
50,129
Carrier Ethernet service delivery . . . . . . . . . .
84,481
Global network services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2007

Fiscal Year

2008

$731,260
60,155
111,033

%*

82.8
6.4
10.8

%*

81.0
6.7
12.3

2009

$472,410
75,112
105,107

%*

72.4
11.5
16.1

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $779,769

100.0

$902,448

100.0

$652,629

100.0

* Denotes % of total revenue

For the periods below, customers accounting for at least 10% of Ciena’s revenue were as follows (in

thousands, except percentage data):

AT&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $196,924
n/a
BT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
100,122
Sprint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $297,046

2007

Fiscal Year

%*

25.3
—
12.8

38.1

2008

$227,737
113,981
n/a

$341,718

%*

25.2
12.6
—

37.8

2009

$128,233
n/a
n/a

$128,233

%*

19.6
—
—

19.6

n/a Denotes revenue representing less than 10% of total revenue for the period

*

Denotes % of total revenue

102

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

(22) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Ciena performed an evaluation of events that have occurred subsequent to the end of its fiscal year
through the date that the consolidated financial statements were issued. As of December 22, 2009, the date of
the filing of this Form 10-K, other than the pending acquisition of substantially all of the optical networking
and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s Metro Ethernet Networks (“MEN”) business as described below, there
have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in this
Form 10-K or would be required to be recognized in the consolidated financial statements.

Ciena Selected as Successful Bidder at Auction for the Optical and Carrier Ethernet Assets of Nortel’s
MEN Business

On November 23, 2009 Ciena announced that it had been selected as the successful bidder in the auction

of substantially all of the optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s MEN business. In
accordance with the definitive purchase agreements, as amended, Ciena has agreed to pay $530 million in cash
and issue $239 million in aggregate principal amount of 6% Senior Convertible notes due 2017 (“Notes”) for
a total consideration of $769 million for the assets.

The Notes to be issued at closing will bear interest at the rate of 6.0% per annum, payable semi-annually,
commencing six months after the date of issuance. The interest rate is subject to an upward adjustment, up to
a maximum of 8% per annum, in the event that the volume weighted average price of Ciena’s common stock
price over the measurement period immediately preceding closing is less than $13.17 per share. The Notes
mature on June 15, 2017.

The terms of the Notes to be issued will be substantially similar to Ciena’s outstanding series of

0.875% senior convertible notes due 2017. The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Ciena and will
rank equally with all of Ciena’s other senior unsecured debt and senior to all of Ciena’s future subordinated
debt. The Notes will be structurally subordinated to all present and future debt and other obligations of Ciena’s
subsidiaries and will be effectively subordinated to all of Ciena’s present and future secured debt to the extent
of the value of the collateral securing such debt.

Following issuance, the Notes may be converted prior to maturity (unless earlier redeemed by Ciena) at
the option of the holder into shares of Ciena common stock at the initial conversion rate of 60.7441 shares of
Ciena common stock per $1,000 in principal amount of Notes, which is equal to an initial conversion price of
approximately $16.4625 per share, subject to customary adjustments. Assuming the full conversion of the
aggregate principal amount, the Notes are convertible into approximately 14.5 million shares of Ciena common
stock, subject to customary adjustments.

Ciena is required to prepare and file a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 for purposes of registering

the resale of the Notes, and the common stock underlying the Notes, by the later of thirty days following the
closing or sixty days following Ciena’s receipt from Nortel of certain financial statements required in
connection with the filing and effectiveness of the registration statement. Ciena’s failure to timely file the
registration statement, and certain withdrawals or suspensions thereof, would result in liquidated damages of
0.25% to 0.50% per annum of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, depending upon the duration of
the registration default. Ciena has also granted certain demand registration rights requiring it to register and
certain piggyback registration rights that afford the holders an opportunity to participate in certain registered
offerings by Ciena.

Prior to closing, Ciena may elect to replace some or all of the Notes with cash equal to 102% of the face
amount of such Notes replaced, provided that the volume weighted average price of Ciena’s common stock is
less than $17.00 per share over the ten trading days prior to the date Ciena makes such election, or, if such
volume weighted average price of Ciena’s common stock is equal to or greater than $17.00 per share, with
cash in the principal amount equal to the greater of 105% of the face amount of the Notes to be replaced or

103

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

CIENA CORPORATION

95% of the fair value of the Notes to be replaced as of the date of the election. In the event that it completes
any capital raising transaction prior to the closing, Ciena will be required to use the net proceeds of the capital
raising transaction to make the election described above and, if such transaction involves the issuance of
convertible securities, the price used to determine the value of Ciena’s common stock for the purposes of
calculating the cost of the Notes replaced or redeemed will be the closing price per share prior to the time
when such offering is priced, instead of the volume weighted average price as described in the preceding
sentence.

After the closing, but prior to the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement above, Ciena has the
right to redeem the Notes if they have been issued, with cash in the principal amount equal to the greater of
105% of the face amount of the Notes or 95% of the fair value of the Notes and any accrued and unpaid
interest since the date of issue. Ciena must offer to use the net proceeds of any capital raising transaction
completed during the above described period to redeem the Notes at the applicable redemption price above.

If Ciena undergoes a fundamental change, as defined in the proposed indenture and subject to certain
exceptions, the holders have the right to require Ciena to repurchase for cash any or all of their Notes at a
purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
repurchase date. If a holder elects to convert the Notes in connection with a qualified fundamental change,
Ciena will in certain circumstances increase the conversion rate by a specified number of additional shares,
depending upon the price paid per share of Ciena common stock in such fundamental change transaction.

On November 25, 2009, Ciena deposited in escrow approximately $38.5 million in cash pending the
closing of the transaction. Upon closing, Ciena will receive a credit for the amount of the deposit against the
aggregate cash consideration to be paid to the sellers. The deposit is subject to forfeiture in the event that all
of the conditions to closing are satisfied and Ciena does not consummate the transaction and the sellers
terminate the asset purchase agreement, pertaining principally to the North American assets, as a result of
Ciena’s material breach of its obligations under that agreement. If this agreement is terminated for any other
reason, the deposit will be returned to Ciena.

We expect this pending transaction to close in the first calendar quarter of 2010. If the closing does not
take place on or before April 30, 2010, the applicable asset sale agreements may be terminated by either party.
Ciena has been granted early termination of the antitrust waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and
the Canadian Competition Act. On December 2, 2009, the bankruptcy courts in the U.S. and Canada approved
the asset sale agreement relating to Ciena’s acquisition of substantially all of the North American, Caribbean
and Latin American and Asian optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s MEN business.
Completion of the transaction remains subject to information and consultation with employee representatives
and/or employees in certain international jurisdictions, additional regional regulatory clearances and customary
closing conditions.

104

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, Ciena carried out an evaluation under the supervision

and with the participation of Ciena’s management, including Ciena’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, of Ciena’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon this evaluation, Ciena’s Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Ciena’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective
as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in Ciena’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f)
and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) during the most recently completed
fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Ciena’s internal control
over financial reporting.

Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of Ciena Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal

control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934).

The internal control over financial reporting at Ciena Corporation was designed to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal
control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(cid:129) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the

transactions and dispositions of the assets of Ciena Corporation;

(cid:129) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of

financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America;

(cid:129) provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of Ciena Corporation are being made only

in accordance with authorization of management and directors of Ciena Corporation; and

(cid:129) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use

or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect

misstatements.

Management of Ciena Corporation assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over
financial reporting as of October 31, 2009. Management based this assessment on criteria for effective internal
control over financial reporting described in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework” issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management
determined that, as of October 31, 2009, Ciena Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial
reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee of our Board of
Directors.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, who audited and reported on

the consolidated financial statements of Ciena Corporation included in this annual report, has also audited the

105

effectiveness of Ciena Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2009, as stated
in its report appearing under Item 8 of Part II of this annual report.

/s/ Gary B. Smith

/s/ James E. Moylan, Jr.

Gary B. Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer

James E. Moylan, Jr.
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

December 22, 2009

December 22, 2009

Item 9B. Other Information

On December 8, 2009, the Compensation Committee of the Ciena Board of Directors approved the 2010
Inducement Equity Award Plan, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.35 to this report (the “2010 Plan”). The
2010 Plan is intended to enhance Ciena’s ability to attract and retain certain key employees to be transferred
to Ciena in connection with its pending acquisition of substantially all of the optical networking and carrier
Ethernet assets of Nortel’s Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN) business. The 2010 Plan authorizes issuance, by
the Compensation Committee, of restricted stock or restricted stock units representing up to 2.25 million
shares of Ciena common stock. The 2010 Plan provides that awards subject to time-based vesting conditions
may not vest in full in less than three years from the date of grant. Awards subject to performance-based
vesting conditions may not vest in full in less than one year from the date of grant. These minimum vesting
periods are subject to exceptions where vesting has occurred due to (i) a participant’s death, disability or
retirement, or (ii) a change in control. The 2010 Plan will terminate automatically one year following the
closing date of Ciena’s pending acquisition of the Nortel assets described above. Upon termination, any shares
that remain available for issuance under the 2010 Plan shall cease to be available thereunder and shall not be
available for issuance under any other existing Ciena equity incentive plan. The 2010 Plan is intended to
qualify under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(c)(4) permitting the adoption of the plan and issuance of awards
thereunder without stockholder approval.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, information relating to Ciena’s directors and
executive officers is set forth in Part I of this annual report under the caption Item 1. “Business — Directors
and Executive Officers.”

Additional information concerning our Audit Committee and regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of

the Exchange Act responsive to this item is incorporated herein by reference to Ciena’s definitive proxy
statement with respect to our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days
after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

As part of our system of corporate governance, our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics that is

specifically applicable to our chief executive officer and senior financial officers. This Code of Ethics for
Senior Financial Officers, as well as our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, applicable to all directors,
officers and employees, are available on the corporate governance page of our web site at www.ciena.com. We
intend to satisfy any disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or
waiver from, a provision of the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, by posting such information on
our web site at the address above.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Information responsive to this item is incorporated herein by reference to Ciena’s definitive proxy
statement with respect to our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days
after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

106

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder

Matters

Information responsive to this item is incorporated herein by reference to Ciena’s definitive proxy
statement with respect to our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days
after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information responsive to this item is incorporated herein by reference to Ciena’s definitive proxy
statement with respect to our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days
after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Information responsive to this item is incorporated herein by reference to Ciena’s definitive proxy
statement with respect to our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days
after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)

1.
2.
3.

The information required by this item is included in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report.
The information required by this item is included in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report.
Exhibits: See Index to Exhibits, which is incorporated by reference in this Item. The Exhibits listed
in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this annual
report.

(b) Exhibits. See Index to Exhibits, which is incorporated by reference in this Item. The Exhibits listed in
the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this annual report.

(c) Not applicable.

107

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the

Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized,
in the City of Linthicum, County of Anne Arundel, State of Maryland, on the 22nd day of December 2009.

Ciena Corporation

By: /s/ Gary B. Smith

Gary B. Smith
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below

by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signatures

Title

Date

/s/ Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D.
Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D.

/s/ Gary B. Smith
Gary B. Smith
(Principal Executive Officer)

James E. Moylan, Jr.

/s/
James E. Moylan, Jr.
(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Andrew C. Petrik
Andrew C. Petrik
(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D.
Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D.

/s/ Harvey B. Cash
Harvey B. Cash

/s/ Bruce L. Claflin
Bruce L. Claflin

/s/ Lawton W. Fitt
Lawton W. Fitt

/s/ Patrick T. Gallagher
Patrick T. Gallagher

Judith M. O’Brien

/s/
Judith M. O’Brien

/s/ Michael J. Rowny
Michael J. Rowny

Executive Chairman of the Board of
Directors

December 22, 2009

President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director

December 22, 2009

Sr. Vice President, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer

December 22, 2009

Vice President, Controller

December 22, 2009

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

108

December 22, 2009

December 22, 2009

December 22, 2009

December 22, 2009

December 22, 2009

December 22, 2009

December 22, 2009

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description

2.1 Amended & Restated Asset Sale Agreement
by and among Nortel Networks Corporation,
Nortel Networks Limited, Nortel Networks,
Inc. and certain other entities identified therein
as sellers and Ciena Corporation, dated as of
November 24, 2009 (“Nortel ASA”)+
2.2 Amendment No. 1 to Nortel ASA dated as of

December 3, 2009+

2.3 Asset Sale Agreement (relating to the sale and

purchase of certain Nortel assets in Europe,
the Middle East and Africa) by and among the
Nortel affiliates, Joint Administrators and Joint
Israeli Administrators named therein and
Ciena Corporation, dated as of October 7,
2009 (“Nortel EMEA ASA”)+

2.4 Deed of Amendment, dated October 20, 2009,

relating to the Nortel EMEA ASA+
2.5 Amending Agreement dated November 24,

2009 relating to the Nortel EMEA ASA+

2.6 Amending Agreement dated December 16,

2009 relating to the Nortel EMEA ASA+

Incorporated by Reference

Form and
Registration or
Commission No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

Filed
Here-
with
(X)

X

X

X

X

X

X

3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of

8-K (333-17729)

3.1

3/27/2008

Incorporation

3.2 Amended and Restated By-Laws of Ciena

8-K (000-21969)

3.1

8/28/2008

4.1
4.2

4.3

10.1

Corporation
Specimen Stock Certificate
Indenture dated as of April 10, 2006 between
Ciena Corporation and The Bank of New
York, as trustee, for 0.25% convertible senior
notes due May 1, 2013, including the Form of
Global Note attached as Exhibit A thereto
Indenture dated June 11, 2007 between Ciena
Corporation and The Bank of New York, as
trustee, for 0.875% Convertible Senior Notes
due 2017, including the Form of Global Note
attached as Exhibit A thereto
Lightera 1998 Stock Option Plan and Form of
Stock Option Agreement**

10-K (000-21969)
8-K (000-21969)

4.1
4.7

12/27/2007
4/10/2006

8-K (000-21969)

4.7

6/12/2007

10-Q (000-21969)

10.19

5/21/1999

10.2 Omnia Communications, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan

10-Q (000-21969)

10.20

8/19/1999

10.3

and Form of Agreements**
1999 Non-Officer Stock Option Plan and Form
of Stock Option Agreement**

10-K (000-21969)

10.22

12/10/1999

10.4 Amendment No. 1 to 1999 Non-Officer Stock

10-K (000-21969)

10.25

12/3/2001

Option Plan**

10.5 Cyras Systems, Inc. 1998 Stock Plan as

10-Q (000-21969)

10.24

5/17/2001

amended and Form of Stock Option
Agreement**

10.6 ONI 1997 Stock Plan**
10.7 ONI 1998 Equity Incentive Plan**

S-1* (333-32104)
S-1* (333-32104)

10.2
10.3

3/10/2000
3/10/2000

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description

Incorporated by Reference

Form and
Registration or
Commission No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

Filed
Here-
with
(X)

10.8 ONI 1999 Equity Incentive Plan**
10.9 WaveSmith Networks, Inc. 2000 Stock Option

S-1* (333-32104)
10-Q (000-21969)

10.4
10.36

3/10/2000
8/21/2003

and Incentive Plan**

10.10 Catena Networks, Inc. 1998 Equity Incentive

10-Q (000-21969)

10.38

5/20/2004

10.11

Plan, as amended**
Internet Photonics, Inc. Amended and Restated
2000 Corporate Stock Option Plan**
10.12 Ciena Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan

10-Q (000-21969)

10.39

5/20/2004

10-K (000-21969)

10.37

12/11/2003

10.13

10.14

10.15

10.16

10.17

(Amended and Restated ONI Systems Corp.
2000 Equity Incentive Plan) **
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement for
executive officers under Ciena Corporation
2000 Equity Incentive Plan**
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for
executive officers under Ciena Corporation
2000 Equity Incentive Plan**
Form of Performance Stock Unit Award
Agreement for executive officers under Ciena
Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan**
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement for
directors under Ciena Corporation 2000 Equity
Incentive Plan**
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreement for directors under Ciena
Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan**

10.18 Amended and Restated 2003 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (as amended on May 30,
2006)**
1996 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan**
Forms of 1996 Outside Directors Stock Option
Agreement**
Third Amended and Restated 1994 Stock
Option Plan**

10.19
10.20

10.21

8-K (000-21969)

10.1

11/04/2005

8-K (000-21969)

10.2

11/04/2005

8-K (000-21969)

10.3

11/04/2005

8-K (000-21969)

10.4

11/04/2005

8-K (000-21969)

10.5

11/04/2005

10-Q (000-21969)

10.1

8/31/2006

S-1 (333-17729)
S-1 (333-17729)

10.4
10.5

12/12/1996
12/12/1996

S-1 (333-17729)

10.2

12/12/1996

10.22 Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Option

S-1 (333-17729)

10.3

12/12/1996

Plan Forms of Employee Stock Option
Agreement**
2008 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan**
Form of 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
(Employee)**
Form of 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan Non-
Qualified Stock Option Agreement
(Employee)**
Form of 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Director)**

10.23
10.24

10.25

10.26

10.27 World Wide Packets, Inc. 2000 Stock
Incentive Plan, as amended**
Form of Indemnification Agreement with
Directors and Executive Officers**

10.28

8-K (000-21969)
10-Q (000-21969)

10.1
10.1

3/27/2008
6/4/2009

10-Q (000-21969)

10.2

6/4/2009

10-Q (000-21969)

10.3

6/4/2009

S-8 (333-149520)

10.1

3/4/2008

10-Q (000-21969)

10.1

3/3/2006

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description

Incorporated by Reference

Form and
Registration or
Commission No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

Filed
Here-
with
(X)

10.29 Amended and Restated Change in Control

10-Q (000-21969)

10.1

3/2/2007

Severance Agreement between Ciena
Corporation and Gary B. Smith**
10.30 Amendment 1 to Amended and Restated
Change In Control Severance Agreement
between Ciena Corporation and Gary B.
Smith**
Form of Amended and Restated Change in
Control Severance Agreement between Ciena
and Executive Officers**
Form of Amendment 1 to Amended and
Restated Change in Control Severance
Agreement between Ciena Corporation and
Executive Officers **

10.31

10.32

10-Q (000-21969)

10.2

8/31/2007

10-Q (000-21969)

10.2

3/2/2007

10-Q (000-21969)

10.3

8/31/2007

10.33 Ciena Corporation Directors Restricted Stock

10-Q (000-21969)

10.1

8/31/2007

Deferral Plan**

10.34 Ciena Corporation Incentive Bonus Plan, as

10-Q (000-21969)

10.28

12/27/2007

amended October 2007**

10.35 Ciena Corporation 2010 Inducement Equity

10.36

Award Plan**
Form of 2010 Inducement Equity Award Plan
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement **
12.1 Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges
21.1
23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public

Subsidiaries of registrant

Accounting Firm

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as Adopted
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002

X

X

X
X
X

X

—
—
—

—

—
—
—

—

—
—
—

—

31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

—

—

—

X

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as Adopted
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002

32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer

—

—

—

X

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as
Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as
Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

—

—

—

X

* ONI Systems Corp. Form S-1 (333-32104)

** Represents management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

+ Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K (i) all schedules and exhibits referenced in the table of con-
tents to Exhibit 2.1 have been omitted; and (ii) schedules 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 to Exhibit 2.3 have been
omitted. Ciena hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted exhibit or schedule to the

SEC upon request. In addition, representations and warranties included in these asset sale agreements, as
amended, were made by the parties to one another in connection with a negotiated transaction. These rep-
resentations and warranties were made as of specific dates, only for purposes of these agreements and for
the benefit of the parties thereto. These representations and warranties were subject to important exceptions
and limitations agreed upon by the parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures, made for
the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties rather than establishing these matters as
facts. These agreements are filed with Ciena’s annual report only to provide investors with information
regarding its terms and conditions, and not to provide any other factual information regarding Ciena or any
other party thereto. Accordingly, investors should not rely on the representations and warranties contained
in these agreements or any description thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition
of any party, its subsidiaries or affiliates. The information in these agreements should be considered
together with Ciena’s public reports filed with the SEC.

operating executive offi cers

outside board members

Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D.
Executive Chairman of the 
Board of Directors

Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D.
Baker Foundation Professor          
Harvard Business School

Gary B. Smith
President, Chief Executive Offi cer 
and Director 

Harvey B. Cash
General Partner
InterWest Partners                                                 

Bruce L. Clafl in   
Chairman                                        
AMD Corporation   

Lawton W. Fitt 
Retired Partner 
Goldman Sachs

Patrick T. Gallagher
Chairman
Ubiquisys Ltd.

Judith M. O’Brien
Exec. Vice President, 
General Counsel 
Obopay, Inc.

Michael J. Rowny                                                
Chairman
Rowny Capital

Stephen B. Alexander
Chief Technology Offi cer, 
Senior Vice President, 
Products and Technology 

James E. Moylan, Jr.
Senior Vice President, Finance 
and Chief Financial Offi cer 

Arthur D. Smith, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Chief 
Integration Offi cer 

Michael G. Aquino
Senior Vice President, 
Global Field Operations 

James A. Frodsham
Senior Vice President, 
Chief Strategy Offi cer 

David M. Rothenstein
Senior Vice President, 
General Counsel and Secretary 

Andrew C. Petrik
Vice President and Controller 

corporate headquarters
Ciena Corporation
1201 Winterson Road
Linthicum, MD 21090-2205
Telephone: (800) 921-1144
or (410) 865-8500
www.Ciena.com

annual meeting
Ciena’s annual meeting of 
shareholders will be held at 3:00 
PM (Eastern) on Wednesday, April 
14, 2010 at The Westin Baltimore 
Washington Airport, 1110 Old 
Elkridge Landing Road, 
Linthicum, MD.

independent registered public 
accounting fi rm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, MD

outside counsel
Hogan & Hartson LLP
Baltimore, MD

transfer agent
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Shareholder Inquiries: (781) 575-2879
www.Computershare.com

common stock market data
Since its initial public offering on 
February 7, 1997, Ciena’s Common 
Stock has traded on the Nasdaq 
Stock Market under the symbol CIEN.

investor relations
For additional copies of this report or 
other fi nancial information, contact: 
Investor Relations
Ciena Corporation
1201 Winterson Road
Linthicum, MD 21090-2205
Telephone: (888) 243-6223
or (410) 694-5700

Additional information is available on 
Ciena’s website at www.Ciena.com.

 
 
 
 
 
1201 Winterson Road, Linthicum, Maryland 21090-2205  
(410) 865-8500   (800) 921-1144   www.Ciena.com