Tradeoffs for performance in long-haul transmission systems: a carrier's perspective

Tradeoffs abound in optical transmission system design, and it's critical for carriers to understand their priorities based on network/service characteristics, and select systems that meet their needs at the lowest first and per-channel cost. There are a number of tradeoffs that can be made in system design, and having a clear view of network topology, traffic requirements and operational needs can help in finding the best system for a particular carrier's network and application. Fiber remains an important driver for system design.