Infinera vs. Ciena: Who Will Win the Multimillion-Dollar Deal With Level 3 Communications?

At risk of losing U.S. partnerships, Level 3 Communications (LVLT) may soon strike a multimillion-dollar, three-year optical networking deal with Infinera (INFN 2.80%) or Ciena (CIEN -0.51%).

While Level 3 seemed satisfied with Huawei's networking equipment for years, that all changed in the past few months. In March and in April, both President Obama and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) have made it harder for Huawei to operate in the U.S. It's only a matter of time until Level 3 -- and it's Huawei equipment -- finds it difficult to do business in the U.S.

Soon, Level 3 will probably go the way of AT&T and Verizon and spurn Huawei's equipment. That leaves open a huge multimillion-dollar, multi-year deal wide open. The two companies likely to fill the void are U.S.-based Infinera or Ciena.

So, who will Level 3 choose? In the video below, Motley Fool contributor Kevin fills you on which company will prevail. The reason might surprise you.