Finisar Announces Leading-Edge 100G Modules for Telecom Networks at OFC/NFOEC 2012

SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 6, 2012) - Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) today announced two new 100G modules -- a 100G Coherent OIF Transponder and a 100G DWDM CFP with SpectraWave™, an all-optical DWDM transport platform. Finisar's modules bring new cost economies and power efficiencies to telecom networks by leveraging critical vertical integration capabilities and established expertise in 100G technology. The new modules will be on display at OFC/NFOEC in Finisar's booth #1703 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, March 6-8, 2012.

Coherent technology enables a new architecture in optical modules by eliminating dispersion compensation in long haul networks, resulting in simpler network management for service providers. Although the first generation of 100G coherent systems were based on proprietary linecards specific to individual systems vendors, it is expected that the general availability of commercial DSP chips will enable an ecosystem where module vendors with internal optics capability can drive compelling solutions in cost, power and density.

The new Finisar 100G Coherent OIF Transponder offers an innovative integrated heat sink design with reduced power dissipation compared to currently available solutions. The module is optimized for telecom long haul transport applications and reduces system cost by integrating soft-decision FEC while enabling reaches of up to 2000 km over single-mode fiber without the need for dispersion compensation.

Finisar will demonstrate an industry-first 100G CFP module for Metro DWDM applications. The CFP module is full C-band tunable across four 28G channels and enables 2.5 times the spectral efficiency of tunable XFP modules, while providing a lower-cost alternative to systems based on coherent technology. The module uses optical duobinary (ODB) modulation for extended dispersion tolerance, supports CAUI and OTL4.10 interfaces, and supports low latency applications. This module is ideally suited for Datacenter-to-Datacenter or Metro Ethernet applications.

This demonstration will also showcase Finisar's SpectraWave™, a new all-optical 1U DWDM transport platform that provides optical mux/demux, amplification, and dispersion compensation. Used together, SpectraWave™ and the DWDM CFP can provide end-to-end optical connectivity for Enterprise, Datacenter or Carrier applications over reaches of a few hundred kilometers. For example, in this demonstration, the SpectraWave™ platform will optically mux and demux four wavelengths, amplify the signals, and compensate for dispersion over 150 km of single-mode fiber.

Key to Finisar's offerings is its extensive investment and unmatched expertise in optical technology. "Finisar has often demonstrated our ability to execute during the high growth phase of a new market. This capability has been demonstrated at 10G, 40G, and 100G client. We believe that we are well positioned to be a leading supplier in the 100G line-side market as well," said Eitan Gertel, CEO of Finisar. "This announcement demonstrates our vertically integrated optics capability and expertise in high-speed optics will be critical to enabling a range of products to support all customer requirements at 100G."

In addition to these new modules, Finisar will have on display equipment from its wide portfolio of optical products, including its latest optical transceivers, transponders, ROADMs, advanced optical components, and passive devices.

About Finisar

Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) is a global technology leader of fiber optic subsystems and components that enable high-speed voice, video and data communications for networking, storage, wireless, and cable TV applications. For more than 20 years, Finisar has provided critical optics technologies to system manufacturers to meet the increasing demands for network bandwidth and storage. Finisar is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, USA with R&D, manufacturing sites, and sales offices worldwide. For additional information, visit www.finisar.com. Stay up to date with Finisar by reading the Lightspeed blog and following us on Twitter and Facebook.

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The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to Finisar as of the date hereof, and Finisar assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Examples of such risks include those associated with: the uncertainty of customer demand for Finisar's products; the rapidly evolving markets for Finisar's products and uncertainty regarding the development of these markets; Finisar's historical dependence on sales to a limited number of customers and fluctuations in the mix of products and customers in any period; ongoing new product development and introduction of new and enhanced products; the challenges of rapid growth followed by periods of contraction; and intensive competition. Further information regarding these and other risks relating to Finisar's business is set forth in Finisar's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly SEC filings.