MILPITAS, Calif. and SAN DIEGO, Feb 26, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- MILPITAS, Calif. and SAN DIEGO, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- JDSU (Nasdaq: JDSU and TSX: JDU) today announced that is has invented the first nano wavelength selective switch (WSS) technology. The Nano WSS includes technology extracted from JDSU's core Mini WSS technology, and will enable JDSU to develop denser and more highly integrated optical solutions, such as the AON Superblade, a single-slot blade solution that JDSU also announced today.

Network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) and service providers are looking for new optical solutions that allow them to more efficiently manage optical traffic in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) networks, as bandwidth demands increase from the use of voice, video and data applications among consumers. Over the past five years, WSS technology has been used in reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs) to allow NEMs and service providers to dynamically and remotely manage network traffic in ultra long haul, long haul and metro DWDM networks.

To create the Nano WSS, JDSU designers took a creative development approach that freed them from the physical limitations and interfaces that typically define optical modules. As a result, designers were able to leverage core WSS functionality from JDSU's Mini WSS solution to create nano blocks for the new optical switching solution.

The first application of JDSU's Nano WSS will be within JDSU's AON Superblade, a single-slot blade solution that will integrate all of the major functions required for optical transport, including the Nano WSS. The Nano WSS is so small that it allows designers to utilize surrounding space within the new blade for other critical optical technology, maximizing every square millimeter of space.

As with existing WSS technology, the Nano WSS will have the flexibility to support traffic in network nodes requiring greater than two dimensions, and provides colorless routing and switching, or the ability to direct wavelengths in several directions instead of in just a single direction. NEMs and service providers are moving towards meshed networks that allow for wavelengths to travel in several directions in order to support increased bandwidth demands.

"JDSU's Nano WSS unlocks the potential for even more innovative and integrated solutions that redefine how optical components work within DWDM networks," said Dave Nicholson, senior director of Research & Development for Optical Communications at JDSU. "JDSU's Nano WSS will help push the limits about how the industry thinks of optical solutions in terms of their size, performance, cost and power efficiency."

The Nano WSS measures 100 x 75 x 18 mm and it will support network data rates for 10 gigabytes per second (G) to 40G and beyond.

JDSU Nano WSS technology will be displayed within the AON Superblade exhibit at JDSU Booth #2021 during the Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exposition (OFC) and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (NFOEC) in San Diego, CA from February 26 - 28, 2008.

About JDSU

JDSU (Nasdaq: JDSU; and TSX: JDU) enables broadband and optical innovation in the communications, commercial and consumer markets. JDSU is the leading provider of communications test and measurement solutions and optical products for telecommunications service providers, cable operators, and network equipment manufacturers. JDSU is also a leading provider of innovative optical solutions for medical/environmental instrumentation, semiconductor processing, display, brand authentication, aerospace and defense, and decorative applications. More information is available at http://www.jdsu.com.

     Contact Information

     JDSU
     Investors:  Michelle Levine  408-546-4421 or michelle.levine@jdsu.com
     Press:    Noel Bilodeau 408-546-4567 or noel.bilodeau@jdsu.com

The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any statement or implication that the products and technologies described in this press release (i) will be successfully introduced or marketed, (ii) will be qualified and purchased by our customers, or (iii) will perform to any particular specifications or performance or reliability standards. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that, if realized, could materially impair the Company's results of operations, business, and financial condition. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (a) the failure of the products (i) to perform as expected without material defects, (ii) to be manufactured at acceptable volumes, yields, and cost, (iii) to be qualified and accepted by our customers, and (iv) to successfully compete with products offered by our competitors, and (b) factors discussed from time to time in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or qualify any of the statements made herein. Source: JDSU.

SOURCE JDSU

http://www.jdsu.com/

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