Upgrade in response to customer demand for high capacity connections across its footprint

Albany, NY – May 12, 2014 – FirstLight Fiber, a facilities-based telecommunications service provider operating fiber optic networks in Upstate New York and Northern New England with connectivity to Canada, announced today that it has expanded its network capabilities to support 100 Gbps connectivity at any of its on-net locations.

This network expansion comes in response to increased customer demand for high bandwidth connections in Tier 2 and Tier 3 metro markets. This capability was accomplished in part due to the support provided by LightRiver Technologies, an integrator of multi-vendor transport networks, and leverages Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform equipped with third generation WaveLogic Coherent Optics.

FirstLight will also be able to better manage, monitor and control network performance using Ciena’s OneControl Unified Management System, which provides simple point-and-click service provisioning to enable faster service turn-up and end-to-end visibility of network performance.

“FirstLight is focused on supporting its customers’ needs, and this network enhancement, which now makes 100 Gbps capability ubiquitously available, further demonstrates our commitment to the continued enhancement of the suite of services offered,” commented James Capuano, Chief of Network Operations for FirstLight Fiber. “The 100 Gbps capability we have been offering provides customers with a reliable and efficient means to transport their mission critical data, and now that our entire network is capable of scaling above 100 Gbps, our customers can be confident that we will continue to support their business applications.”

“LightRiver is proud to work with FirstLight on this important project and applauds the company for continuing to offer the innovative solutions needed for businesses to thrive in the digital age. After evaluating what’s available in the market, FirstLight has taken decisive action to undertake this network upgrade leveraging best-in-breed technology from Ciena.  In doing so, it proves that 100 Gbps connections are no longer just for customers located in tier 1 markets by making them available for everyone throughout Upstate New York and Northern New England,” commented Michael P. Jonas, President of Global Sales and Marketing for LightRiver. “This network upgrade is a game changer for customers by providing increased flexibility and bandwidth opportunities.”

“With the rise of enterprise and consumer demand for cloud computing, HD video, and mobile applications, network operators are under significant pressure to deliver new services and increased capacity to support them,” said Jason Phipps, General Manager and Vice President North American Field Operations at Ciena. “In this partnership with LightRiver, we engaged in a consultative relationship with FirstLight to help monetize its network with a robust, flexible and programmable infrastructure that delivers a new set of services that are in demand in Upstate New York and Northern New England.”

The FirstLight network, one of the largest and most dense fiber networks in Upstate New York, Northern New England and into Canada, spans more 190,000 fiber miles connecting in excess of 1,400 lit buildings with the ability to serve an additional 10,000 in close proximity to its fiber network. With this network upgrade, FirstLight now has the capability of offering 100 Gbps point-to-point wavelengths between any on-net locations throughout its footprint.

To learn more about FirstLight, visit www.firstlight.net  or follow the Company on Twitter and LinkedIn.

For more information on LightRiver Technologies, visit www.lightriver.com.

For more information on Ciena, visit www.ciena.com.