EXHIBIT 20.12  

NEWS RELEASE  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         TELLABS CONTACT: Thomas P. Scottino 
09/01/98                                        (630) 378-7504 


                              CIENA CONTACT: Suzanne Dulong 
                                             (888) 243-6223


     TELLABS AND CIENA TO SET STOCKHOLDER MEETING DATES  
               New Record Date Also To Be Set

Lisle, Ill., and Linthicum, Md. - Tellabs, Inc., and CIENA Corporation
intend to adjourn their respective special stockholder meetings
scheduled for September 9, 1998, for the purpose of approving their
merger, and will reschedule such meetings at a later date.  The
companies currently anticipate that these meetings can be held in
mid-November.  This change accommodates SEC review of the revised filing
and permits stockholders sufficient time to receive and review the
revised Joint Proxy and Prospectus.  A new record date for stockholders
eligible to vote at the meetings will be set following SEC review of the
revised proxy materials.

CIENA (Nasdaq: CIEN) is a leader of open architecture, dense
wavelength division multiplexing systems for long-distance and
local exchange carriers. Through its Alta subsidiary, CIENA also
provides a range of engineering, furnishing and installation
(EF&I) for telecommunications service providers in the areas of
transport, switching and wireless communications.

Tellabs designs, manufactures, markets and services voice and
data transport and access systems. The company's products are
used worldwide by the providers of communications services.
Tellabs, Inc., stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (TLAB).