Optical system and method having low loss and non-linear effects

An apparatus and method for transmitting an optical signal. The invention is directed to a transmission line having first and second spans (16,18) of single mode fiber. The fiber of the first span (16) has a negative dispersion (HNDF, high negative dispersion fiber) with an absolute value of between about 2.5 ps/nm/km and 10 ps/nm/km at the operating wavelength. The second span (18) is connected to the first span and has a positive dispersion at the operating wavelength. The positive dispersion of the second span compensates for the negative dispersion of the first span such that the cumulative dispersion across the first and second spans is approximately zero. The increased dispersion of the first span coincides with characteristics to lower non-linear effects, permits a longer length of the second span, and helps lower attenuation in the transmission line.