The latest version of this complex overview of optical communications systems, technologies, and networks was updated for the sixth time in 2013. It consists of two impressive volumes. Part A, dedicated to components and subsystems, includes information primarily on lasers, various types of optical fibers, modulators, and multiplexors. Part B, addressed in this review, discusses the actual optical communication theories, technologies, components and systems, optical networks, and optical wireless combinations.

Lightwave communications is an exciting and extremely quickly developing engineering area, as it for some time has been acknowledged that signal transmission over optical links and networks, in terms of capacity and reliability, is superior to other methods. Though the capacity and latency of data transmission have been gradually improved, the limits have not yet been reached. This evolution, however, relies on numerous new approaches, materials, and technologies, while in many cases a complete paradigm shift or revolution in the field is required. The emphasis on increased effectiveness (not only cost effectiveness, as shown in the discussion of energy efficiency included in the book) and continuously higher performance, together with high robustness, reliability, and resilience, requires not only new technology, but also new business models involving combinations of optical and wireless networks. Returning to network architecture principles, hybrid Internet protocol (IP) and optical systems are being tried more and more to gain the most from either best-effort or dedicated lambda service.

This volume (Part B) contains almost 1,100 pages and is divided into 25 independent chapters, each written by different authors. While the editors’ background in optical networking is described, the actual chapter authors merely declare their current affiliations. Most of the authors come from industry (typically global manufacturers and network providers), so this book should not be taken as an overview of recent R&D in optical telecommunications; instead, it is focused on results that have already been implemented, or at least tested, in the field.

The editors did not strive for a common format for the chapters, aside from (extensive) individual reference lists. While almost all of the chapters finish with some type of brief summary or conclusion, only some offer an outlook on a specific technical area. What is even more unfortunate is that only a handful of chapters actually offer a list of acronyms used within; there is not a common book glossary, making orientation amid such a wealth of technical information very difficult. Additionally, related standards are not easy to follow as only a few chapters actually include specific and systematic discussions on standards (though references obviously include standards, recommendations, and RFCs).

Optical fiber telecommunications was first published 34 years ago. The current edition comes five years after its predecessor, now that 100-Gbps networks are a commodity and 400-Gbps and 1-Tbps networks are also becoming a reality. It covers quite a few advances and novelties in the field, such as streaming, routing, and switching in optical networks; higher-order modulation; and space division multiplexing.

This is not a textbook; it is a “compilation … of progress in the field.” It does not describe the background of optical communications and networking, and certainly would not serve a newcomer to the field. It requires a reasonably knowledgeable reader, ideally a network professional or researcher who already has sufficient background in the field and may be searching for a particular topic of interest to study in more detail.