A communication system comprising: a trunk path configured for communicating a plurality of optical data signals, each at a different associated wavelength, between first and second trunk path cable stations (104-1, 104-2), said trunk path being at least partially submarine and comprising a plurality of repeaters (106-1---106-R), said repeaters being spaced from each other along said trunk path and being coupled to said trunk path for receiving power from power feed equipment in at least one of said first and second cable stations; and at least one branch segment (120-1---120-N) configured for communicating signals at said wavelengths between said trunk path and a branch segment cable station (116-1---116-N), said branch segment being at least partially submarine and having a first end coupled to said trunk path through a submarine branching unit (118-1---118-N) and a second end coupled to said branch segment cable station, said branch segment having no repeaters disposed along the length thereof, wherein a first one of said repeaters disposed along said trunk path is adjacent a first side of said branching unit and a second one of said repeaters disposed along said trunk path is adjacent a second side of said branching unit, characterized in that said branch segment has a length greater than the average spacing between said repeaters in the trunk path, said average repeater spacing being in the range from 35km to 120 km, in that said branch segment cable station has no power feed equipment, and in that said first one of said repeaters and said second one of said repeaters are both disposed along said trunk path at a distance of 20 km or less from said branching unit. a trunk path configured for communicating a plurality of optical data signals, each at a different associated wavelength, between first and second trunk path cable stations (104-1, 104-2), said trunk path being at least partially submarine and comprising a plurality of repeaters (106-1---106-R), said repeaters being spaced from each other along said trunk path and being coupled to said trunk path for receiving power from power feed equipment in at least one of said first and second cable stations; and at least one branch segment (120-1---120-N) configured for communicating signals at said wavelengths between said trunk path and a branch segment cable station (116-1---116-N), said branch segment being at least partially submarine and having a first end coupled to said trunk path through a submarine branching unit (118-1---118-N) and a second end coupled to said branch segment cable station, said branch segment having no repeaters disposed along the length thereof, wherein a first one of said repeaters disposed along said trunk path is adjacent a first side of said branching unit and a second one of said repeaters disposed along said trunk path is adjacent a second side of said branching unit, characterized in that said branch segment has a length greater than the average spacing between said repeaters in the trunk path, said average repeater spacing being in the range from 35km to 120 km, in that said branch segment cable station has no power feed equipment, and in that said first one of said repeaters and said second one of said repeaters are both disposed along said trunk path at a distance of 20 km or less from said branching unit.