The present disclosure provides an encoding and decoding device implementing an improved forward error correction (FEC) coding/decoding method. In particular, the encoding device is configured to encode a stream of data symbols using a spatially coupled code (e.g. staircase codes, braided block codes or continuously interleaved block codes), wherein at least one generalized error location (GEL) code is used as a component code of the spatially coupled code. Accordingly, the decoding device is configured to decode a sequence of encoded symbol blocks using a spatially coupled code, wherein at least one GEL code is used as a component code of the spatially coupled code. Thereby, a suitable spatially coupled FEC code that allows for very low-latency, high-throughput, high-rate applications with a low-complexity decoding procedure, and allows for mitigation of the error-floor, is designed.