Dispersion may be managed in a branched optical network by using transmission segments having a single period segment dispersion map. One or more of such segments may be coupled to network nodes such as terminals or branching units such that dispersion may be managed even when the network is reconfigured. In one embodiment, a single period segment dispersion map provides dispersion compensation at the ends of the segment. In another embodiment, a single period segment dispersion-map provides dispersion compensation at the middle of the segment.

A method and apparatus is provided for managing chromatic dispersion in an NRZ-based WDM long-haul optical transmission system so that nonlinearities are reduced, especially those at the edge channels of the band. The method includes using between 500 ps/nm and 2000 ps/nm of residual dispersion and a 40%/60% pre/post DCU split ratio when the channel wavelengths are shorter than the zero dispersion wavelength. Using these dispersion compensation rules, the nonlinear propagation effects in NRZ-based WDM systems is reduced, thus allowing for higher optical power per channel and/or longer transmission distances.