A dispersion-managed optical soliton transmission system uses alternating
spans of positive-dispersion optical fiber having a negative slope and
negative-dispersion optical fiber having a positive slope. For wavelength
division multiplexing, the system has a map strength preferably between 4
and 8. An absolute value of average group velocity dispersion between 0.5
and 0.0 ps.sup.2/km, and soliton power may vary between channels within 1
dB. Map periods, amplifier spacings, and dispersion values across a
wavelength range of 1530 1600 nm are disclosed for bit rates of 10 and 40
Gbits/sec to maintain the ranges of average group velocity dispersion and
soliton power.