Abstract: A split-band amplifying apparatus that has a first section for amplifying a long wavelength band of an optical signal and a second section equipped with a fiber amplifier for amplifying a short wavelength band of the optical signal. The fiber amplifier in the second section uses a short-pass fiber with a depressed cladding cross-section and core doped with an active material, e.g., Erbium, and pumped to a high relative inversion D. The split-band amplifying apparatus can be used to amplify signals whose short wavelength band includes at least a portion of the S-band and whose long wavelength band includes at least a portion of the C- and/or L-band.