An optical transceiver in which one or more bias currents provided to the laser driver are adjusted at cold temperatures such that transition speeds are reduced. A preliminary current generation circuit generates a preliminary current. In addition, a programmable cold temperature bias current compensation circuit draws a configurable amount of current from the preliminary current if the ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature to generate a final current. A laser driver bias current delivery circuit then provides at least one laser driver bias current to the laser driver. These delivered bias currents are dependent at least in part upon the final current. Accordingly, the bias currents provided to the laser current reduce the transition speed of the optical signal at low temperatures, thereby reducing jitter and electromagnetic interference, and allowing user control over the amount of compensation.