The Oclaro 100 Gbps Coherent Transponder Achieves Vertical Integration of Optical Components

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Oclaro, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCLR), a tier-one provider and innovator of optical communications and laser solutions, today announced that it has achieved full vertical integration of optical components with its MI 8000XM 100 Gbps coherent transponder.  As a leading supplier of both optical components and modules, Oclaro can now source all key optical components required for the MI 8000XM internally to deliver a fully-integrated 100 Gbps transponder solution that delivers market leading performance and cost efficiencies while offering easy and rapid integration into network equipment vendors' system solutions.

The MI 8000XM transponder leverages Oclaro's proven history in delivering coherent solutions. Oclaro's high degree of vertical integration and its broad portfolio of optical components, including the integrable tunable-laser assembly, integrated PM-QPSK modulator, and integrated dual-polarization intradyne coherent receiver, are key advantages for delivering a cost-efficient, high-performing 100 Gbps coherent transponder product. Augmenting the supply chain of critical optical components with internal sourcing options also increases security of supply.  Consequently, the MI 8000XM transponder is well positioned in the 100 Gbps coherent transponder market, which the analyst firm Infonetics Research predicts will grow more than 200% per year through 2015.

"While there is no doubt that network operators are eager to adopt 100 Gbps coherent network solutions, a major limiting factor has been the availability from only a few network equipment manufacturers," said Dr. Terry Unter, President and General Manager of the Oclaro Optical Networks Solutions Business Unit.  "Being able to obtain the MI 8000XM's key optical components internally allows us to optimize the overall cost and performance of the module, while continuing our strategy of multi-sourcing ensures a high degree of supply security."

About the MI 8000XM

The MI 8000XM 100 Gbps coherent transponder, which fully complies with the OIF 100 Gbps MSA Implementation Agreement, is targeted at optical network solutions from metro through ultra-long haul, including submarine networks to support the growth of bandwidth intensive services such as video, cloud computing, and wireless broadband data services.  The automatic chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion compensation properties make this module particularly well suited for the next generation optical network architecture with extensive optical routing and richer mesh network topologies. High spectral and physical density, the latter enabled by reduced power dissipation, as well as soft-decision forward error correction are key characteristics for deployment in those networks, which will serve to meet the ever-increasing bandwidth demands over the coming years.

About Oclaro

Oclaro, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCLR) is a tier-one provider and innovator of optical communications and laser components, modules and subsystems for a broad range of diverse markets, including telecommunications, industrial, scientific, consumer electronics and medical. Oclaro is a global leader, dedicated to photonics innovation with cutting-edge research and development (R&D) and chip fabrication facilities in the U.S., U.K., Switzerland, Israel, Korea and Italy, and in-house and contract manufacturing sites in China and Thailand with design, sales and service organizations in each of the major regions around the world.  www.oclaro.com.

Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Oclaro, the Oclaro logo, and certain other Oclaro trademarks and logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Oclaro, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Information in this release is subject to change without notice.

SOURCE Oclaro, Inc.