SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 21 -- Because of a longer-than-expected regulatory approval process, JDS Uniphase Corp. and SDL Inc., two of the industry's top providers of fiber optic communications components, have postponed the finalization of their pending $25-billion merger. The companies had previously set a December deadline, but will now close the deal sometime in January. As a result, the companies will adjourn their special meetings of stockholders currently scheduled for 10 a.m., Pacific Standard Time, Dec. 27, 2000 to a date to be announced in a press release at the time of the meetings.SDL makes products that speed-up the transmission of data, voice, video and Internet information over fiber optic networks to meet the needs of telecommunications,cable television and satellite communications applications. JDS Uniphase designs, develops, manufactures and distributes products for the fiber optic communications market.