Special issue paper. Telecommunication research and development programme-evolution on optical-fibre communication in France

The paper reviews the current situation on optical-fibre research programmes in France, with an outline of the objectives of such research. In discussion of the various elements of an optical-fibre communication system, the authors include the fibre, the propagation medium, and the input and output components and fibre and cable connectors. An indication is given, at the end of the paper, of future priorities and trends in French research on optical-fibre communication.