Today, the speed and reliability of data connections are vital to every industry, and optical transmission systems have emerged as one of the key infrastructure platforms driving comprehensive digital transformation. From home internet lines to data centers, national telecommunications infrastructure and global networks, optical transmission technology is operating silently, connecting the world at an unprecedented speed in history.
Optical transmission systems use optical fibers – materials thinner than a human hair but capable of conducting light extremely efficiently – to transmit data. Unlike traditional media such as copper wires, this system operates on the principle of total internal reflection within the fiber core. A beam of light, usually emitted by a laser or LED, is transmitted through the fiber core and continuously reflected inside the cladding to keep the signal from being lost. This allows data to travel tens or even hundreds of kilometers while ensuring high speeds and remarkable stability.
Technically, today's optical transmission systems mainly use two main types of fibers: single-mode and multi-mode. Of these, single-mode fibers are widely used in long-haul and core networks because of their ability to transmit signals over longer distances with lower attenuation. Multi-mode fibers are mainly used in short-haul connections, such as in buildings or data centers, due to their low terminal costs and ease of deployment.
Another key technical factor is the bandwidth and wavelength of light. In modern optical transmission, systems typically operate at infrared wavelengths such as 850nm, 1310nm, and 1550nm – each with its own advantages in terms of attenuation and equipment cost. Advanced technologies such as Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) allow multiple light signals to be transmitted over the same optical fiber. This allows for a total bandwidth of tens of terabits per second over a single fiber, optimizing both performance and investment costs.
Optical amplifiers such as Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) are indispensable, allowing signals to be amplified directly in the optical domain without conversion to electronics. This is the key factor that enables optical transmission to travel hundreds of kilometers without the need for repeaters, creating intercontinental submarine fiber optic cables with low latency and high reliability.
In Vietnam, optical transmission systems play an irreplaceable role in the national digital infrastructure development strategy. Major telecommunications companies have been investing heavily in expanding fiber optic networks across provinces and cities, connecting urban areas with remote areas, and participating in key international submarine fiber optic cables to ensure seamless data transmission to the world. The FTTH (Fiber to the Home) network has now covered most residential areas, helping people access stable high-speed internet services, thereby promoting education, e-commerce and digital services.
Standing out among the private investors creating new transmission infrastructure is DCH Group – the unit developing one of the modern and strategic fiber optic cable systems, focusing on connecting to the Ba Ria – Vung Tau area. With the vision of building a transmission corridor connecting Vietnam to the global data and internet center, DCH is deploying a fiber optic cable system connecting directly from the landing station in Vung Tau City and expanding international connections via submarine cables.
According to the announced roadmap, DCH will deploy an international submarine optical cable connecting Ba Ria - Vung Tau to Malaysia, Singapore and Japan, and at the same time build a land optical cable running along the national axis, connecting with data centers in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Hanoi and neighboring countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. This cable not only serves DCH's data center but also contributes to forming an independent "transmission backbone", with high safety and sovereignty, minimizing dependence on existing cable lines that often have problems.
Not only for civil connections, optical transmission is also the lifeblood of data centers, where huge amounts of information are stored and processed. Ultra-fast transmission speeds, extremely low latency and high reliability are prerequisites for operating artificial intelligence systems, cloud computing, and digital services that require real-time. A data center cannot operate effectively without high-quality optical transmission connections that are flexible and scalable and can promptly respond to explosive data demands.
In the context of global competition in digital technology, many countries have considered the development of optical transmission networks as a digital security strategy. They build their own cable lines, connect with strategic partners, and limit dependence on foreign infrastructure. Vietnam is no exception to this trend. With the orientation of becoming the digital center of Southeast Asia, investment projects in submarine optical cables, cross-border land transmission lines, and regional interconnection systems are being strongly deployed, laying the foundation for an independent, safe, and future-ready telecommunications infrastructure.
Optical transmission technology is also constantly evolving. New generations of optical fibers, such as hollow-core fibers, which allow light to travel with virtually no dispersion, and integrated electronic-optical solutions are enabling leaps in performance and flexibility. At the same time, combining optical transmission with software-defined networking (SDN) and infrastructure virtualization is helping operators and enterprises manage bandwidth more efficiently, optimize costs, and scale more easily.
The development of optical transmission systems is not simply a story of speed and capacity. It is also a story of connection, integration and transformation of an entire economy. In the era of data and artificial intelligence, where information is the most valuable resource, each optical fiber is a blood vessel, carrying the flow of data to every corner of society, from businesses, schools to every household.
If digital infrastructure is considered the “backbone” of the digital economy, then the optical transmission system is the lifeblood – silent but indispensable in the journey to build a digital, strong and integrated Vietnam. Investing in optical transmission is investing in the future.