POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Michael J. Birck, of 1415 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563,
hereby appoint each of James Sheehan of 1415 West Diehl Road, Naperville,
Illinois 60563, Paul Liebenson of 1415 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois
60563 and Angie Daum of 1415 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563, as
attorney-in-fact to act for me and in my name for the purpose of completing,
signing and filing, in my name and on my behalf, any of the following forms for
Tellabs, Inc. pursuant to the terms of Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
Securities Act of 1933:

        Form 3 - Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities

        Form 4 - Statement of Changes of Beneficial Ownership of Securities

        Form 5 - Annual Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities

        Form 144 - Notice of Proposed Sale of Securities

This power shall become effective on January 30, 2009, and shall continue in
effect until terminated in writing by me or until any of my attorneys-in-fact
shall die, become legally disabled, terminate their employment with
Tellabs, Inc. or its subsidiaries for any reason, resign or refuse to act
(only as applies to such person, this power shall otherwise remain in force
for the remaining attorneys-in-fact).

I am fully informed as to all the contents of this form and understand the full
import of this grant of powers to any of my attorneys-in-fact.

This Power of Attorney shall supersede any previously granted power related to
Tellabs, Inc. and the matters described herein.

/s/ Michael J. Birck
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Michael J. Birck

State of Illinois       )
                        )SS
County of Kane          )

NOTARY

The undersigned, a notary public in and for the above county and state, this
29th day of January, 2009, certifies that Michael J. Birck, known to me to
be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Power of Attorney,
appeared before me in person and acknowledged signing and delivering said
document as his/her free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein
set forth.

/s/ Mary T. McShane
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Notary Public