Optical amplification device for receiving an optical input signal and transmitting an amplified optical output signal on the basis of the optical input signal comprising: an optical amplifier comprising an input and an output; an optical gain control unit connected to the output path and the input path of the optical amplifier , the optical gain control unit configured to control the gain of the optical output signal , wherein the optical gain control unit further comprises an attenuation device , wherein the attenuation device is connected to the output path of the optical amplifier and the attenuation device is connected to the input path of the optical amplifier ; and an electrical gain control unit connected to the output path and the input path of the optical amplifier , the electrical gain control unit configured to control the gain of the optical output signal , wherein said optical gain control unit is connected to said input path of the optical amplifier by means of a first optical add/drop filter , wherein the optical input signal is applied to the electrical gain control unit and the first optical add/drop filter , wherein said optical gain control unit is connected to said output path of the optical amplifier by means of a second optical add/drop filter , wherein the second optical add/drop filter generates the optical output signal , and wherein the optical output signal is applied to the electrical gain control unit , wherein the electrical gain control unit is further connected to the optical amplifier , wherein the electrical gain control unit is configured to control the operating parameters of the optical amplifier by means of a control signal , characterized in that the electrical gain control unit is configured to incorporate a target gain for the optical amplifier , and the attenuation device is configured to be controlled in dependence on the target gain for the optical amplifier . an optical amplifier comprising an input and an output; an optical gain control unit connected to the output path and the input path of the optical amplifier , the optical gain control unit configured to control the gain of the optical output signal , wherein the optical gain control unit further comprises an attenuation device , wherein the attenuation device is connected to the output path of the optical amplifier and the attenuation device is connected to the input path of the optical amplifier ; and an electrical gain control unit connected to the output path and the input path of the optical amplifier , the electrical gain control unit configured to control the gain of the optical output signal , wherein said optical gain control unit is connected to said input path of the optical amplifier by means of a first optical add/drop filter , wherein the optical input signal is applied to the electrical gain control unit and the first optical add/drop filter , wherein said optical gain control unit is connected to said output path of the optical amplifier by means of a second optical add/drop filter , wherein the second optical add/drop filter generates the optical output signal , and wherein the optical output signal is applied to the electrical gain control unit , wherein the electrical gain control unit is further connected to the optical amplifier , wherein the electrical gain control unit is configured to control the operating parameters of the optical amplifier by means of a control signal , characterized in that the electrical gain control unit is configured to incorporate a target gain for the optical amplifier , and the attenuation device is configured to be controlled in dependence on the target gain for the optical amplifier . <EOS>