Optical communication systems and components, comprising communications apparatus and appliances, namely, optical transmitters, optical receivers, amplifiers, preamplifiers, power supplies; [ digital controllers for monitoring the status of video signals and audio data; signal splitters for electronic apparatus, electronic combiners for connecting receivers, communication access nodes; ] digital video splicers; [ digital compression units for processing of digital music and video images and computer hardware and software for digital compression of digital music and video; broadband modems; ] equipment for use with broadband networks, namely, fiber optics, cable, satellite and wireless telecommunications networks, for providing access and transmitting signals, namely, headend video compressors, multiplexers, scramblers, and modulators; optical, digital and cable transmitters for use with fiber optics, cable, satellite, and wireless telecommunication networks using high speed broadband technology; [ headend computer software for the management and transmission of data; ] broadband network interfaces; computer hardware and software for managing various elements of a wireless, highspeed, broadband communication network; and instruction and maintenance manuals sold therewith as a unit