Cisco Opted To Spend Heavy To Cash In On Fiber Optics.(A)(Internet & Technology)

Byline: Mike Angell

Investor's Business Daily

Cisco Systems Inc. spent nearly $10 billion last year buying fiber-optic companies like Monterey Networks Inc., Cerent Corp. and Pirelli Optical Systems. What did it get in return?

About $246 million in 1999 sales, according to market share data from industry analysts RHK Inc.

But fiber optics, which use lasers to send light signals down thin glass tubes,is the next step in technology for data networks. That's why Cis

co will spend today to secure its place tomorrow.

Cisco predicts its fiber-optic sales will quadruple in 2000. Most of those sales will come from its Cerent product, the 15454.

This device hooks up the …