Finisar Sets Standard for Next-Generation ROADMs With Flexgrid(TM) WSS Technology

SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - September 7, 2010) - Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR), the market leader in Wavelength Selective Switches (WSS), today introduced its new Flexgrid™ technology. Flexgrid™ enables dynamic control of channel center frequency and channel bandwidth within a WSS, from 50 GHz to 200 GHz in 12.5 GHz steps, with no penalty on any aspect of WSS performance. Flexgrid™ draws upon the inherent flexibility and performance of Finisar's Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) optical engine to address carrier demand for flexible bandwidth-capable ROADMs in next-generation networks.

The need for increased network capacity, efficiency, and flexibility is driving the introduction of higher data rates, new transmission formats, and channel management technologies. These all require flexible bandwidth capable ROADMs. For example, the introduction of coherent techniques enables 100 Gbit/s transmission within a 50 GHz channel. However, higher speed traffic, including future 400 Gbit/s and 1 Tbit/s signals, will not fit into such a narrow channel. To maximize network capacity and future-proof a carrier's investment in transmission hardware, the channel bandwidth in both the WSS and the add-drop components required for contentionless, directionless, colorless (CDC) architectures must therefore be dynamically variable to accommodate new transmission formats and data rates. 

"Channel-width flexibility is increasingly sought by major telecom carriers as a way to maximize bandwidth-efficiency in the network," said Andrew Schmitt, Senior Analyst with Infonetics Research. "Flexible Grid functionality offered by leading suppliers, like Finisar, allows an optical network to accommodate advanced optical transmission techniques."

"With the introduction of Flexgrid™, Finisar continues to provide the most comprehensive WSS product line on the market," said Craig Cameron, Product Line Manager, Finisar. "We believe the combination of advanced optics, compact packaging, and powerful software with a versatile LCoS optical engine provides a flexible wavelength switching solution of unmatched performance and functionality to meet carrier needs, both now and in the future."

Finisar will demonstrate its Flexgrid™ technology in booth #207 at the European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communications (ECOC) in Torino, Italy, September 20-22. For more information about ECOC, visit www.ecocexhibition.com.

About Finisar
Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) is a global technology leader for fiber optic subsystems and components that enable high-speed voice, video and data communications for telecommunications, 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.

SAFE HARBOR UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
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 (filed July 9, 2009) and quarterly SEC filings.

Contact Information:

MEDIA CONTACT:
Victoria McDonald
Finisar Corporation
+1 (408) 542-4261
victoria.mcdonald@finisar.com