Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for launching high-transmission-rate optical communication signals into legacy fiber optic cables. At least one aperture is provided on a proximal end of single-mode fiber optic stub so as to block or otherwise control the propagation of unwanted light into and through the stub. In one embodiment, a low-cost spheroidal lens is mounted between the optical transmitter and the proximal end of the fiber optic stub to focus and direct light emitted by the optical transmitter towards the fiber optic stub. The relatively broad light beam formed by the low-cost lens, in combination with the aperture, removes the requirement to precisely align the transmitter, lens and stub with one another, and further does away with the conventional requirement to attenuate the amount of signal power provided to the fiber optic stub.