A method for reducing intra-channel, non-linear distortions of an optical signal resulting from non-linear fiber propagation includes applying a polarization mode dispersion (PMD) pre-distortion to an optical signal such that the PMD pre-distortion produces two replica signals of the optical signal spaced by a differential group delay (DGD). The replica signals are adapted for transmission via an optical fiber. The DGD spacing is selected to reduce intra-channel, non-linear distortions imparted by the optical fiber.