Wide band dispersion-controlled fiber

A wide band dispersion-controlled fiber which comprises a core forming an optical signal transmission path and having a peak refractive index, and a cladding surrounding the core and having a peak refractive index lower than the peak refractive index of the core. The wide band dispersion-controlled fiber further comprises at least one dispersion control layer arranged between the core and the cladding and having a refractive index profile such that its refractive index increases from an inner periphery to an outer periphery. The minimum refractive index of the dispersion control layer is less than the peak refractive indices of the core and cladding.