Abstract: A group of subscribers serviced from a center has a common remote distribution unit located in its vicinity. The subscribers are connected to this remote distribution unit by individual lines, preferably optical waveguides. A single optical waveguide connects the center to the remote distribution unit. Subscriber-assigned signals with subscriber-assigned wavelengths and signals to be distributed to all subscribers in the direction from the center to the subscribers are transmitted as a multiplexed optical signal, using wavelength-division multiplexing, to the remote distribution unit. The optical signal containing the signals to be distributed is separated out at the remote distribution unit and is distributed by optical means to the subscribers. The subscriber-assigned signals are also separated in the remote distribution unit into individual signals and are transmitted to the subscribers over individual lines.