Abstract: An optical communication system that includes an optical network is disclosed having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of optical fiber links which includes optical fiber links that interconnect the nodes. Signals passing through the network are similarly pre-compensated and/or similarly post-compensated. The network preferably includes dispersion-managed optical fiber spans, and preferably further includes distributed amplification, preferably erbium amplifiers and/or Raman amplifiers. Preferably, the network is transparent.