ESPOO, Finland, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Starting in early 2010, Tellabs offices in Finland will switch to electricity produced by hydropower. More than 500 employees in all Tellabs locations in Espoo, Finland, will use the more environmentally friendly source of electricity.

Electricity produced by hydropower is renewable energy, as it naturally replenishes and does not emit carbon dioxide. Tellabs strives to make the right choices for the environment and sustainable development.

"Switching to hydropower demonstrates our intention to act in a more environmentally friendly way," said Mika Heikkinen, vice president and general manager, Tellabs Finland. "Improving sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are key environmental goals."

Tellabs Finland invests heavily in the research and development of innovative telecommunications solutions. Consequently, the majority of electricity consumption occurs in Tellabs' R&D laboratories. By changing to hydropower, the company will achieve a reduction of almost 2100 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the electricity consumption of more than 500 houses.(1)

By moving to hydropower in Finland, Tellabs' global carbon footprint will shrink by about 5%.(2)

(1) The calculation estimates that the electricity consumption of one house is 20,000 kWh/year. Tellabs Finland consumed 10,773 MWh of electricity in 2008.

(2) In 2008, Tellabs Finland reported 2,086 metric tons of CO2 from electricity generation. Tellabs globally reported direct and indirect emissions of 44,171 metric tons. As a result of the Tellabs Finland reduction of CO2 emissions through the adoption of hydropower, total Tellabs global emissions will be reduced approximately 5%.

About Tellabs -- Tellabs helps customers succeed through innovation. That's why 43 of the top 50 global telecom service providers choose our mobile, optical and business solutions. We help telecom service providers, independent operating companies, MSO/cable TV companies, enterprises and government agencies get ahead by adding revenue, reducing expenses and optimizing networks. With wireless and wireline networks in more than 90 countries, we enrich people's lives by innovating the way the world connects(TM). Tellabs (Nasdaq: TLAB) is part of the NASDAQ Global Select Market, Ocean Tomo 300(TM) Patent Index, the S&P 500 and several corporate responsibility indexes including FTSE4Good and eight KLD indexes. http://www.tellabs.com

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SOURCE Tellabs