-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Epla5qHKd4AsGRL0LquxkAmlVFie2aUDDqf1A9b4NbYY00TUXxI8EjglFxDbCjS3
 lCnfeMqlXbQBiKjFLrLYTA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001352505-08-000107.txt : 20080923
<SEC-HEADER>0001352505-08-000107.hdr.sgml : 20080923
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080923171059
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001352505-08-000107
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080915
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080923
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080923

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TELLABS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000317771
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH APPARATUS [3661]
		IRS NUMBER:				363831568
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1229

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE TELLABS CENTER
		STREET 2:		1415 WEST DIEHL ROAD
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60563
		BUSINESS PHONE:		630-378-8800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE TELLABS CENTER
		STREET 2:		1415 WEST DIEHL ROAD
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60563

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Heinz Roger J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001445189

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-09692
		FILM NUMBER:		081085068

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		630-798-3657

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE TELLABS CENTER
		STREET 2:		1415 WEST DIEHL ROAD
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60563
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-09-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000317771</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TELLABS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TLAB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001445189</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Heinz Roger J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE TELLABS CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1415 W. DIEHL ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NAPERVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60563</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Global Sales &amp; Services</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Roger J. Heinz</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-09-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----