Which of the following statements about forward error correction (FEC) is true?

Forward error correction (FEC) is a crucial technique used in communication systems, particularly in optical networks, to enhance data transmission quality. The correct statement regarding FEC is that it decreases the bit error rate and increases the reliability of an optical communication system.

FEC works by adding redundancy to the transmitted information. In the event of errors during transmission, the receiver can utilize this redundancy to detect and correct some of these errors without needing a retransmission. This is particularly beneficial in systems where retransmissions may be costly or impractical due to latency or bandwidth concerns.

By effectively correcting errors, FEC plays a significant role in maintaining a lower bit error rate (BER) over long distances, ensuring a more reliable system. As a result, optical communication systems employing FEC can transmit data more reliably, making it easier to maintain quality communication despite potential interference or signal degradation.