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                                  EXHIBIT 99.5

                     PRESS RELEASE DATED SEPTEMBER 14, 1998




                                                                          
                                                   INVESTOR CONTACT:         Suzanne DuLong
                                                                             (888) 243-6223
                                                                             email: ir@CIENA.com

                                                   PRESS CONTACT:            Denny Bilter
                                                                             (410) 865-8677
                                                                             email: dbilter@ciena.com


                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                     CIENA CEO STATEMENT ON TODAY'S EVENTS

LINTHICUM, MD - SEPTEMBER 14, 1998 - The following can be attributed to Patrick
Nettles, president and CEO, CIENA Corporation:

"Today, CIENA is taking a series of steps geared to demonstrate our commitment
to the company's original mission established four and a half years ago:
simplifying the network and lowering the cost of bandwidth for our customers."

"Four months ago, we announced our intent to merge with Tellabs as a means to
expand the scope of that mission.  While the strategic basis for this
transaction still remains compelling, our short-term financial performance and
the effect of recent events to our near-term outlook, has made it highly
improbable that we can get shareholder approval without substantially
undervaluing CIENA."

"Demonstrating our commitment to move forward, CIENA also announced today an
organizational restructuring that will strengthen our sales and marketing so we
can focus on our customers, take advantage of new business opportunities and
increase shareholder value."

"In addition, we unveiled a new product capability today that illustrates
CIENA's ability to deliver new capabilities to the market that further define
us as the world's leader in optical networking."





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"After all is said and done, CIENA remains a young, vibrant and high growth
potential company with a strong balance sheet, a strong workforce that is
charged up and a strong growing base of satisfied customers."

To receive copies of today's announcements and view comments by Patrick
Nettles, visit our website at www.ciena.com or refer to Business Wire.

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