SUNNYVALE, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 23, 2008 -- ECOC BRUSSELS -- Finisar Corporation (FNSR - News), a global technology leader in fiber optic solutions for high speed networks, today announced general availability of the industry's first 50 GHz Wavelength Selection Switch (WSS) for 10 and 40 Gb/s telecom and data communication networks. Qualified to Telcordia standards, Finisar's next-generation Wavelength Selection Switches are the only production-qualified devices providing dual and mixed channel spacing for both 50 and 100 GHz channel plans. These highly flexible and reconfigurable devices increase 40G capacity in the network while reducing cost for applications from the core to the edge of the network.

Finisar's WSS devices feature LCoS technology, which extends several advantages over traditional WSS and Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) linecard implementations, including dynamic reconfiguration to meet changes in traffic demand, mixed/dual channel plans, and programmable channel contouring/filter shaping. LCoS increases reliability and enhances bandwidth performance by having no moving parts.

"With our LCoS-based Wavelength Selection Switches, Finisar continues to integrate intelligent features into our WSS and ROADM portfolio to provide customers with the most reliable 40 Gb/s products at the lowest cost," said Dr. Allen Conduit, vice president and general manager of WSS technology at Finisar. "Volume availability coupled with software-defined optical functionality will enable Finisar to target new applications and market segments."

Finisar's new Wavelength Selection Switches are available in multiple configurations, including 1x9 and 1x4 (drop) and 9x1 and 4x1 (add) modules with both 50 and 100 GHz channel spacing, giving telecom and data communication networks more options and flexibility. Wavelength Selection Switches are available now in volume quantities worldwide.

Finisar will display its 50 GHz WSS and other ROADM products in booth #379 at ECOC in Brussels from September 22-24. For more information about Finisar's proven networking solutions, visit www.finisar.com or contact a Finisar Solution Expert at 1-408-548-1000 or sales@finisar.com.

About Finisar

Finisar Corporation (FNSR - News) is a global technology leader for fiber optic subsystems and network test systems 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.

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