The rapid growth of network traffic is driving the need for higher-capacity and higher-density optical transmission systems. Fiber-optic transmission technology is key to achieving these goals, operating within specific wavelength regions where fiber exhibits minimal transmission loss to ensure efficient signal propagation. These so-called wavelength regions—also known as optical wavelength transmission bands—are essential to modern fiber networks.
This article introduces the concept of optical wavelength bands, explains how they are classified, explores how WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) uses them to increase capacity, and highlights common use cases.
